Do Statins Really Help Prevent Heart Disease? A Closer Look at the Evidence
Dr. Kumar’s Take:
Statins are widely prescribed to people with no history of heart disease to prevent future cardiovascular events. However, this editorial in JAMA challenges whether the data actually support their use for primary prevention. The authors argue that the absolute benefits of statins in people without existing heart disease are small, while the potential risks—muscle pain, fatigue, and increased diabetes risk—are often underreported. This highlights the need for personalized risk assessment and shared decision-making rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to statin prescriptions.