Consider statins for millions more people in England, NHS told

About 15 million more people in England could be prescribed daily cholesterol-lowering statin pills to cut their risk of heart attacks and stroke, new advice for the NHS says.

Given the very cheap price of the tablets and the possible health gains, they should be considered more often, the draft guidance says.

There can be side effects though and there is debate about how widely this long-term treatment should be given and what associated risks are acceptable.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises the NHS, says people should be thoroughly assessed before statins are prescribed, warning the pills are not a quick fix or substitute for a healthy diet and exercise.

The previous advice was for anyone with a one in 10 chance of having a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, within the next 10 years - based on factors such as age, blood pressure and cholesterol levels - to be offered a statin.

But NICE now says including adults with a one in 20 chance could save 2% of them from having a heart attack or stroke during that period.

Spokesman Paul Chrisp said patients should discuss the benefits and risks with their doctor, adding: "The evidence is clear, in our view, that for people with a risk of 10% or less over 10 years, statins are an appropriate choice."

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Source: BBC News, 12 January 2023