Decision box

Statins are medications taken daily to reduce the concentrations of cholesterol in the blood and reduce the risks of having cardiovascular (CV) or cerebrosvascular (CeV) events.

Adults at moderate to high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years. 

• The probability of having a CV event in the next 10 years is evaluated using a risk calculator such as the Framingham Cardiac Risk Score taking into account sex, age, diabetes, smoking status, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. 
  • high risk: more than 20% probability 
  • moderate risk: 10-20% probability 
  • low risk: less than 10% probability

There are pros and cons to taking this medication: 

• PROS: About 1% of individuals taking statins will be protected from major coronary and cerebrovascular events. 
• CONS: Some individuals taking statins will still have a CV event. Most people at moderate or high risk will never have a CV event, even if they do not take statins, and this medication can cause reversible side effects.

There is a lack of evidence on the benefits and harms of statins for primary prevention, because many of the trials on primary prevention of CV events with statins included individuals who already had CV diseases. 

Cardiovascular disease can also be prevented by avoiding smoking, being physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight, moderating alcohol consumption and limiting intake of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sugars8 and/or by taking other medications such as ASA.