USPSTF Recommendations on Statins for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Are Unchanged

But the continued almost-exclusive focus on 10-year CVD risk estimates remains controversial for some experts.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Target Population: Middle-aged and older adults (age, ≥40) without signs, symptoms, or diagnoses of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The recommendations do not apply to patients with LDL cholesterol levels >190 mg/dL or known familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background

The USPSTF has updated its 2016 recommendations on use of statins for primary prevention of CVD (NEJM JW Gen Med Dec 15 2016 and JAMA 2016; 316:1997).

Recommendations

The USPSTF found moderate benefit for statin use in middle-aged patients (age range, 40–75) who have at least one traditional risk factor for CVD (i.e., dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, or smoking) and a 10-year CVD risk of 10% or higher (B recomme…

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate