Coming off statins raises the risk of a heart attack in healthy pensioners by almost half, a study warns.
Over-75s who stopped taking the pills, designed to lower cholesterol, are also a third more likely to be admitted to hospital with heart disease over the following two-and-a-half years.
The results come from a survey of 120,000 French patients, who had been on statins continuously for two years.
Findings showed over-75s who ditched the tablets had a 46% increased chance of a heart attack, with the possibility of a stroke rising by 26%.
Lead author Dr Philippe Giral, from Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris, said: “If you regularly take statins for high cholesterol, we would recommend you do not stop when you are 75.
“We estimated an extra 2.5 cardiovascular events per 100 people would occur within four years in those who discontinued at the age of 75.”
Around six million adults in the UK take the 3p-a-day pills – but experts say another six million high-risk patients should be on statins, which reduce fatty deposits in blood vessels.
People stop taking statins against doctor’s orders due to side-effects, which include headaches , dizziness, nausea and difficulty sleeping.
But the pills are known to protect patients of any age, who have already had heart problems or a stroke.
A recent analysis of data from 40 countries found that four in 10 over-65s do not stick to taking statins as advised. Prof Sir Nilesh Samani, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “Old age itself puts people at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.
“This risk can be heightened by factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure .
“This study, although observational, adds to a growing body of evidence showing that statins reduce heart attacks and strokes in older people, as they do in younger people, and are safe.
“Age should not be a barrier to prescribing these potentially life-saving drugs to those who are likely to benefit.”
The Paris findings are published in the European Heart Journal.
