Results of a study published Wednesday in The Lancet suggest that the benefits of statin therapy in people at high risk of cardiovascular problems persist for at least five years after stopping treatment. The data also confirmed that the drugs aren't linked with an increased risk of cancer or mortality from non-vascular causes.
The Heart Protection Study originally enrolled 20 536 people at high risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems aged between 40 and 80 years, who were randomised to receive either placebo or a 40-milligram daily dose of simvastatin, which is sold by Merck & Co. as Zocor. Initial data after 5.3 years of follow-up showed that those who took simvastatin reduced LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 1 millimole per liter, representing a 23-percent drop in the risk of a major cardiovascular event.
According to the study authors, after an average of 11 years of follow-up, no further "significant reductions" were seen in either major vascular events or vascular mortality. The benefits also persisted throughout this period among patients who stopped taking the statins, the investigators noted. In addition, no significant differences were seen in cancer incidence or in mortality attributed to cancer or to non-vascular causes between the two treatment groups at either follow-up period.
Study investigator Richard Bulbulia, who called the data "remarkable," said that based on the results "all those at increased vascular risk should start taking statins early and continue taking them long term." He noted that "this will maximise the reductions in heart attacks, strokes and other vascular diseases, and is safe." Bulbulia also suggested that "it seems reasonable to assume" that the findings will apply to other statins, such as Pfizer's Lipitor (atorvastatin) and AstraZeneca's Crestor (rosuvastatin).
Other experts agreed that the results are reassuring, especially as previous studies have indicated a possible cancer risk with statins. "Concerns should be put to rest, and doctors should feel reassured about the long-term safety of this life-saving treatment for patients at increased cardiovascular risk," remarked Payal Kohli and Christopher Cannon of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital in an accompanying commentary.