Statins are medicines that many people take to lower cholesterol and protect their heart. But do they actually help people live longer?
Research says yes—especially for people who are at high risk of heart disease. The benefits, however, depend on your personal health.
Statins work by blocking a liver enzyme that makes cholesterol. This helps lower the level of “bad” cholesterol, called LDL cholesterol, in the blood. When LDL is too high, it can build up inside the arteries and form plaque.
This plaque can block blood flow and lead to heart attacks or strokes. By lowering LDL, statins keep arteries healthier and reduce the risk of these serious problems.
Scientists have found that statins are especially helpful for people who already have heart disease or are very likely to get it. In addition to lowering cholesterol, statins calm inflammation in the blood vessels and keep existing plaque from getting worse. They also reduce the chance of a heart attack or stroke happening in the first place.
One major study published in The Lancet found that statins cut the risk of heart attacks by 25% and strokes by 21%. This meant that fewer people died early from heart-related issues.
Another study in JAMA followed people aged 50 to 75 who were at high risk of heart disease. It showed that statin users had a 10% to 15% lower chance of dying from any cause during the study period.
This means that for every 100 high-risk people who took statins for five years, one or two more people were still alive compared to those who didn’t take the drug.
Even for people without heart disease, statins can still help. A 2019 study in the journal Circulation looked at people with high cholesterol but no history of heart problems. After five years, the group taking statins had a 9% lower risk of death.
While this benefit is smaller, it still matters because it can prevent first-time heart attacks and strokes, improving quality of life.
The people who benefit the most are those with a high risk of heart problems. For people with lower risk, the effect on life span may not be as large. So, it’s important to talk with a doctor to see if taking statins makes sense for you.
Statins are generally safe. Most people take them without problems. But some side effects can happen, like muscle pain, upset stomach, or small changes in liver tests. These side effects are usually mild and can be managed with help from a doctor.
Another important point: people who take their statins regularly live longer than those who stop or miss doses. This shows that staying consistent with your medicine is very important.
To sum up, while statins can’t promise a longer life for everyone, they can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes—and for many people, that can mean more healthy years. If you’re thinking about taking statins or are already on them, talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
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