Taking statins right after they’re recommended can significantly lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with diabetes, according to new research from Mass General Brigham. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, shows that early statin therapy cuts the risk of cardiovascular events by one-third compared to delayed treatment.
Statins are widely known to be a safe, affordable, and effective way to reduce cholesterol and protect heart health. But despite strong clinical advice, nearly 1 in 5 patients with diabetes choose to delay starting them.
“I see diabetes patients regularly, and I recommend statins to all who are eligible,” said Dr. Alexander Turchin, senior author and endocrinologist. “Some want to try lifestyle changes or other medications first, but those are not as effective. When it comes to your heart and brain, time matters.”
Heart attacks and strokes are the top causes of death and disability in people with diabetes. Statins help by preventing plaque from building up in arteries, which can block blood flow and lead to serious complications.
To conduct the study, researchers used artificial intelligence—specifically Natural Language Processing—to analyze nearly 20 years of electronic health records from 7,239 patients who eventually started taking statins. The median patient age was 55, and just over half were women. Most were white, and the median HbA1c (a marker of long-term blood sugar) was 6.9%.
Among the patients, 17.7% declined statin therapy when first offered, but later agreed—usually after about a year and a half. Of those who delayed, 8.5% suffered a heart attack or stroke. In contrast, only 6.4% of those who started statins immediately had such events.
“Doctors should understand the extra risk of delaying statin treatment and use these findings to support conversations with patients,” said Turchin.
Related Topics:
