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The value of statins for elders is unclear, because statin research has focused on middle-aged men and because low cholesterol levels have been associated with increased mortality in older people. In this industry-supported, randomized, European trial, researchers determined whether pravastatin reduced risk for cardiac events, stroke, cognitive decline, or disability in older people with existing vascular disease or risk factors.
Nearly 6000 men and women (age range, 70-82) with vascular disease or risk factors were allocated to pravastatin (40 mg daily) or placebo. Mean LDL cholesterol level (147 mg/dL [3.8 mmol/L] at baseline) was lowered by about 34% in the pravastatin group during the study. During an average follow-up of about 3 years, …