Study Weighs Risks of Stopping Common Heart Drug in Older Adults
WHO:
New York Post - The randomized trial included 1,880 adults aged 70 and older who took statins to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. All had at least two chronic medical conditions and no established cardiovascular disease or previous cardiovascular event.
Fox News - The trial included the same 1,880 adults aged 70 and older, with at least two chronic conditions and no history of heart disease or stroke.
New York Post - Researchers came from the University of Bern in Switzerland, the University of California, San Francisco, and other institutions.
Fox News - Dr. Rita F. Redberg, a University of California, San Francisco cardiology professor, was a study author. Dr. Christopher Kelly is a UNC Health cardiologist and was not involved in the study.
WHAT:
New York Post - Half the participants were assigned to stop taking statins; the other half continued. After two years, the added risk of stopping was within the study’s prespecified limits, but was not zero.
Fox News - Across follow-up, about 13% of participants assigned to stop statins had a heart attack, ischemic stroke, or died from any cause, compared with 9% assigned to continue.
New York Post - The safety monitoring board recommended that participants assigned to stop statins discuss restarting treatment with their healthcare team, according to the American College of Cardiology.
Fox News - Researchers found no meaningful group differences in reported quality of life, muscle pain, falls, or loss of muscle mass and strength. Kelly said continuing statins did not worsen reported muscle pain or quality of life.
New York Post - About 14% of participants did not follow their assigned treatment: some assigned to stop resumed statins, while some assigned to continue stopped.
Fox News - Redberg said a small increase in cardiovascular events meant there could be no general recommendation to stop statins for this population. She said decisions should be shared by patients and healthcare professionals and that discontinuation is generally safe for people in this age group without a previous cardiovascular event.
New York Post - Kelly said he generally recommends continuing statins unless patients have medication concerns, such as side effects, take many medicines, or are eager to stop one.
WHERE:
New York Post - The American Heart Association Scientific Sessions where the trial was presented took place in Chicago.
WHEN:
WHEN:
New York Post - The trial was presented on Nov. 7, 2026, and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Fox News - Typical follow-up lasted about two years; some participants were followed for up to four years. Researchers said longer follow-up is needed.
WHY:
Fox News - Statins lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by reducing cholesterol production in the liver and are known to help reduce heart attack and stroke risk, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Redberg said the benefits of continuing statins in older age are less certain than the rationale for lowering high cholesterol earlier in life.
HOW:
New York Post - Researchers assessed stopping versus continuing statins for primary prevention in older adults. The articles say the findings may not apply to all older adults because the trial was limited to people aged 70 and older with multiple chronic conditions and no prior cardiovascular disease or event.
(UPDATED November 12, 2026 07:01 UTC)
Older adults stopping statins experienced more heart attacks, strokes, or deaths than those continuing. A trial found adverse outcomes in 13% who stopped, versus 9% who continued. Patients should discuss treatment decisions with clinicians.