Statins ‘should be used earlier’, researchers say

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Rebecca Aris

pharmaphorum

A leading expert claimed that the possible side effects of statins have been exaggerated and that all those over 50 should consider taking statins to reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Sir Rory Collins, Oxford University, speaking after his keynote lecture at the European Society of Cardiology's annual congress in Munich yesterday, said that taking cholesterol-lowering statins before warning signs begin to appear could provide much greater protection from heart attacks or stroke.

He suggested that medical regulators had overstated the possible side effects of statins. Sir Rory added that current guidelines on statin use should be binned and patients should be encouraged to begin using statins earlier.