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One quarter to one third of older adults (age, ≥75) in the U.S. take statins for primary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Researchers undertook a secondary analysis of data from the lipid-lowering component of the ALLHAT trial (NEJM JW Gen Med Feb 1 2003 and JAMA 2002; 288:2998), from which they identified 2867 adults (age, ≥65; mean age, 71) who were randomized to pravastatin (40 mg daily) or usual care. Participants had stage 1 or 2 hypertension and at least one additional CHD risk factor (≈25% were smokers; 50% had type 2 diabetes) but no known CHD. About one third of usual-care patients had crossed over to statin treatment by year 6. Data were analyzed according to original randomization.
Six-year all-cause mortality in patien…