Statins for over 55s - is that a good idea?

A government expert has been recommending that all over 55s should be given statins, drugs which lower cholesterol, as a matter of routine to lower the incidence of heart disease in the population, says a report in the Daily Mail. This is because, according to recent research, statins lower the risk even in healthy people by 30 per cent. They are also said to lower the risk of death from all health related causes by 12 per cent and cut risk of stroke by 19 per cent.They work equally well regardless of age or gender and whether diabetes is present. They also apparently carry no side effect of cancer as was previously thought might be the case.

However, the taking of any drug on a regular basis must carry some side effects and in the case of statins problems with muscle weakness and sometimes mental confusion have been reported. The answer could be to replace by supplementation a substance called co-enzyme Q10, available also in some fruit and vegetables.

Currently, statins are only prescribed to those who run significant risk of heart attack or stroke. But now many experts are recommending that wider access to them be made available so as to save enormous numbers of lives and save the NHS money.

The cholesterol busting drugs are taken by around six million adults and around 10,000 lives are saved in this way say experts. They are not an expensive drug as the cheapest versions cost only 7p a day.

Last month, a recommendation was made in the British Medical Journal that all over 55s should routinely be prescribed statins just the same as if everyone would be offered vaccination against swine flu if a serious situation occurred. Similarly a government heart disease representative has said that statin or a new polypill containing them should be given to all older people.

However, there are many who feel that mass medication to older people is not the answer. It could deflect people from pursuing a healthy lifestyle of plenty fruit and vegetables and physical activity and could also encourage older people to become unduly concerned about a health issue that might not even affect them.

A spokesman for the Blood Pressure Association Mike Rich commented: "There are other proven ways to prevent high blood pressure such as healthy eating and regular exercise, which have other benefits too. There is a danger that these important lifestyle factors could be overlooked in favour of popping a pill."

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