from Oregon State University
Statins look promising in preventing heart
attacks and other cardiovascular problems
in people over the age of seventy-five. But
Oregon State University researcher Michelle
Odden says there are concerns about
potential side effects of statins. Her study
is in Annals of Internal Medicine. An
estimated forty percent of those over
seventy-five are already taking statins. The
question was should statins be routinely
given to older adults who are not already
taking them to prevent heart attacks,
strokes or other events that can affect
quality of life and drive up health care
costs. Side effects in some people could be
muscle weakness or possible cognitive
impairment. She says as people live longer
and healthier lives, efforts to prevent
cardiovascular disease may need to be
adjusted to reflect the differences that
come with age.