Statin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
Summary of the 2022 recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
This is an educational summary written for a portfolio project. Recommendations change; always confirm with the official source.
Who it applies to
Adults aged 40 to 75 without a history of cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack or stroke) and without very high LDL cholesterol (190 mg/dL or higher) or familial hypercholesterolemia.
Recommendation
- Prescribe a statin for adults aged 40 to 75 who have at least one cardiovascular risk factor (dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension or smoking) and an estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk of 10% or higher (grade B).
- Selectively offer a statin to adults aged 40 to 75 with at least one risk factor and an estimated 10-year risk of 7.5% to less than 10% (grade C).
Older adults
The evidence is insufficient to assess benefits and harms of starting a statin in adults aged 76 and older (I statement).
Notes
Risk is usually estimated with the pooled cohort equations. Shared decision-making about benefits, harms and preferences is encouraged.