Statins Should Be Prescribed to Most Middle-Aged Men and Older Women to Prevent Heart Disease

Strategic Insights -

Successive British governments have failed to tackle the country's unhealthy diet, resulting in high cholesterol levels among the population. Research suggests that one in three of Europe's obese children are British, partly due to anachronistic farming subsidies and a lack of government consistency in directing the food industry. Experts argue that the current UK policy on statins is the worst among British, European, and US health authorities in preventing cardiovascular disease. They propose prescribing statins to most men from middle age onwards and older women to prevent heart disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK's current policy on statins targets resources at people with a high risk of heart disease (greater than 30% over 10 years), but this is the cheapest and least effective approach.
  • Prof Durrington and colleagues compared the effectiveness of statin policies among British, European, and US health authorities and found the UK's policy to be the worst.
  • Statins are estimated to save up to 9,000 lives per year in the NHS, but the current policy fails to reach many people who could benefit from the medication.
  • There is evidence that statins could benefit people with a 1% increased risk of heart disease, not just those with a higher risk.
  • Prof Durrington and colleagues argue that statin treatment should be provided to most men from middle age onwards and most older women to be effective in preventing heart disease.
  • The high cost of statins (average £152.52 per patient per year) and the difficulty of finding funds for the NHS are significant concerns.
  • The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has recommended changing the threshold for statin prescription to all those with a higher than 20% risk of heart disease.

Statistics:

  • 1 in 3 of Europe's obese children are British.
  • Statins cost around £152.52 per patient per year.
  • The NHS bill for statins in 2004 was £769m.
  • Statin prescribing has been rising by 30% year-on-year in the NHS since 2000.
  • The Department for Health estimates that statin prescribing saves up to 9,000 lives per year.

Sources:

  • Heart (journal)
  • Prof Paul Durrington and colleagues (Manchester Royal Infirmary)
  • British Heart Foundation
  • National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)
  • Department for Health and Social Care
  • NHS (UK national healthcare system)