The Newshound

Statins could cut dementia risk by up to 15% and slash heart attack odds, major new studies find

Statins, which can cost as little as 3p per pill, cut dementia risk by up to 15% in a landmark 15-year Danish study of over 132,000 participants.
Statins, which can cost as little as 3p per pill, cut dementia risk by up to 15% in a landmark 15-year Danish study of over 132,000 participants.

Two landmark studies have found that daily statin pills could reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 15%, with the protection strongest for those who begin taking them early in life. The research, tracking more than 132,000 people over 15 years in Denmark, was published in the Lancet and presented at the European Society of Cardiology's annual congress in Munich. The pills cost as little as 3p a day, raising hopes that millions more Britons could benefit.

Around six million of Britain's 10 million over-70s not currently on statins could be eligible, along with the roughly five million Britons living with type 2 diabetes.

Experts believe almost half of all dementia cases globally could be prevented or delayed, with the number of sufferers forecast to nearly triple to 153 million by 2050.

Prof Isabel Goncalves of the ESC called the findings 'potentially important' because statins are already widely available and inexpensive.

MoreThe TelegraphStatins could cut dementia risk for millionsThe GuardianStatins can reduce dementia risk by up to 15%, long-term study suggestsIrish ExaminerStudy finds statins can lower risk of dementia by 15% - Irish ExaminerPressReaderStatin hope to cut risk of dementia - PressReaderThe SunMillions could benefit from 3p pill ‘to slash risk of heart attack and dementia’
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →