Statins, widely prescribed to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease, may also provide significant benefits for adults over 70, according to new findings from Monash University.

Published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026, the findings from the Statins in Reducing Events in the Elderly (STAREE) Trial show that statin therapy reduced the risk of experiencing a first major cardiovascular event by 30% in independently living adults aged over 70.

The decade-long randomized controlled trial followed nearly 10,000 older adults, comparing the effects of statin therapy with a placebo. It is one of the first major trials specifically designed to evaluate whether statins can prevent cardiovascular events in older adults, a population historically underrepresented in clinical research.

Lead researcher Adjunct Professor Sophia Zoungas from Monash University said the results could influence how cardiovascular risk is managed in older adults and highlighted the need for treatment guidelines to reflect the new evidence.

Cardiovascular disease remains a major global health challenge, with its prevalence projected to rise substantially as populations continue to age. Since cardiovascular risk increases with age, effective prevention strategies are particularly important for older adults.

Co-author Professor Mark Nelson emphasized that the community-based nature of the STAREE trial, which involved more than 3,400 general practitioners across Australia, makes the findings especially relevant to everyday clinical practice. He encouraged older adults to discuss their individual cardiovascular risk and whether statin therapy is appropriate with their healthcare providers.

The researchers say the STAREE trial represents a major contribution to healthy ageing research and provides important evidence for improving preventive cardiovascular care among older populations worldwide.

Professor Derek Chew, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the National Heart Foundation of Australia, also welcomed the findings, noting that the study provides evidence that statins can continue to reduce cardiovascular events even when treatment begins later in life.

Source: https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/cholesterol-lowering-medication-reduces-heart-attack-and-stroke-risk-in-older-people-by-30-per-cent