{"id":633068,"date":"2025-08-06T13:02:28","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T17:02:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633068"},"modified":"2025-10-17T12:02:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T16:02:13","slug":"best-statin-for-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/best-statin-for-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Best statin for older adults"},"content":{"rendered":"

Statins<\/span><\/a> are used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. They <\/span>block the enzyme<\/span> HMG CoA reductase that makes cholesterol in the liver. For all at-risk patients and especially for older adults, statins are a key component in preventing cardiovascular disease. But with age, our bodies may process medications differently. Age-related changes in health affect how effectively the medication is metabolized, how well a drug works, and how likely it is to cause side effects. For this reason, healthcare providers often individualize statin therapy for older adult patients according to their health status and medical history.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss which statins are commonly prescribed to older adults, what the research says about their effectiveness and safety in this age group, and what side effects to look out for. Understanding how these medications work in older adulthood can help you make more informed decisions with your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why older adults may need a different approach to statins<\/span><\/h2>\n

Statins help prevent <\/span>atherosclerosis<\/span><\/a> and heart disease. <\/span>Kristen Fuller<\/span>, MD, a family medicine physician in Mammoth Lakes, California, explains that lowering cholesterol helps \u201creduce the risk of plaque buildup in blood vessels, which can reduce high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>National Institutes of Health<\/span><\/a>, older adults can be people aged 65 and older, but there\u2019s no specific age that defines older adults. While statins are widely prescribed for middle-aged adults, their use in people over 75 is less straightforward. The American Heart Association (AHA) <\/span>recommends statin therapy in people ages 40 to 75<\/span><\/a> with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels higher than 190 mg\/dL to prevent heart attacks and strokes. For people older than 75, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has stated there <\/span>isn\u2019t enough evidence<\/span><\/a> to weigh the risks and benefits of starting statins in people older than 75 who have no history of heart attack or stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean statins aren\u2019t helpful for older adults, but it does mean they require a more nuanced approach. As people age, several factors can influence how statins work in the body:<\/span><\/p>\n