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Effects of statins on heart attack or stroke risk
Evidence shows that statins may lower a person's chance of having a heart attack or stroke, especially for people who are at high risk for one.
The tables above show the number of people who will have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years, arranged by risk level.
The information shown here is based on the best available evidence.
Current as of: January 10, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine Michael P. Pignone MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Michael P. Pignone MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine & Caroline S. Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine
Taylor F, et al. (2013). Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1): 1–96. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004816.pub5. Accessed January 8, 2014.
Yusuf S, et al. (2016). Cholesterol lowering in intermediate-risk persons without cardiovascular disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 374: 2021–2031. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1600176. Accessed May 27, 2016.
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