Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were reduced in all trials but there was evidence of heterogeneity of effects .
There was no evidence of any serious harm caused by statin prescription .
Evidence available to date showed that primary prevention with statins is likely to be cost-effective and may improve patient quality of life .
Recent findings from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists study using individual patient data meta- analysis indicate that these benefits are similar in people at lower ( < 1 % per year ) risk of a major cardiovascular event .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Reductions in all-cause mortality , major vascular events and revascularisations were found with no excess of adverse events among people without evidence of CVD treated with statins
BACKGROUND Reducing high blood cholesterol , a risk factor for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) events in people with and without a past history of CVD is an important goal of pharmacotherapy .
Statins are the first-choice agents .
Previous review s of the effects of statins have highlighted their benefits in people with CVD .
The case for primary prevention was uncertain when the last version of this review was published ( 2011 ) and in light of new data an up date of this review is required .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects , both harms and benefits , of statins in people with no history of CVD .
The design of a prospective study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER). PROSPER Study Group. PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk.
The PROspect i ve Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk ( PROSPER ) is a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial design ed to test the hypothesis that treatment with pravastatin will diminish risk of subsequent major vascular events in a cohort of men and women ( 70 to 82 years old ) with preexisting vascular disease or significant risk of developing this condition . Five thous and eight hundred four men and women in addition to receiving advice on diet and smoking , have been r and omized equally to treatment with 40 mg pravastatin/day  or matching placebo in 3 centers ( Cork , Irel and , Glasgow , Scotl and , and Leiden , The Netherl and s ) . Following an average 3.5-year intervention period , a primary assessment will be made of the influence of this therapy on major vascular events ( a combination of coronary heart disease , death , nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion , and fatal and nonfatal stroke ) . A number of additional analyses will also be conducted on the individual components of the primary end point , on men , on women , and on subjects with and without previous evidence of vascular disease . Finally , an assessment will be made of the effects of treatment on cognitive function , disability , hospitalization or institutionalization , vascular mortality , and all-cause mortality
Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were reduced in all trials but there was evidence of heterogeneity of effects .
There was no evidence of any serious harm caused by statin prescription .
Evidence available to date showed that primary prevention with statins is likely to be cost-effective and may improve patient quality of life .
Recent findings from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists study using individual patient data meta- analysis indicate that these benefits are similar in people at lower ( < 1 % per year ) risk of a major cardiovascular event .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Reductions in all-cause mortality , major vascular events and revascularisations were found with no excess of adverse events among people without evidence of CVD treated with statins
BACKGROUND Reducing high blood cholesterol , a risk factor for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) events in people with and without a past history of CVD is an important goal of pharmacotherapy .
Statins are the first-choice agents .
Previous review s of the effects of statins have highlighted their benefits in people with CVD .
The case for primary prevention was uncertain when the last version of this review was published ( 2011 ) and in light of new data an up date of this review is required .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects , both harms and benefits , of statins in people with no history of CVD .