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Daily use of statins, or cholesterol-lowering drugs, may significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes in people living with HIV by 35%, according to a recent study.
The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlights the increased cardiovascular risk faced by individuals with HIV, which can be 50-100% higher compared to the general population. The findings suggest that daily statin use could prevent one in five major cardiovascular events or premature deaths among this population.
“This research suggests that statins may provide an accessible, cost-effective measure to improve cardiovascular health and quality of life for people living with HIV,” said Gary H. Gibbons, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the US National Institute of Health.
The study involved 7,769 adults aged 40-75, who were randomized to receive either pitavastatin or a placebo. Participants who took pitavastatin experienced 35% fewer major cardiovascular events and a 21% reduction in deaths compared to the placebo group. Additionally, those taking the statin saw a 30% decrease in Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as bad cholesterol.
Steven K. Grinspoon, a professor of medicine at Harvard University, noted that while lowering LDL cholesterol reduces risks for heart attacks and strokes, the findings suggest additional benefits of statin therapy for people living with HIV.
The study underscores the importance of addressing comorbidities like cardiovascular disease in the successful management of HIV, a disease that affects more than 38 million people worldwide, with 1.5 million new cases diagnosed in 2021, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
For individuals living with HIV, managing cardiovascular health is crucial, given their elevated risk. The introduction of daily statin use could represent a significant step forward in improving overall health outcomes and quality of life for this population.
This study’s findings may pave the way for new guidelines and treatment plans that incorporate statin therapy as a standard practice for people with HIV, aiming to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and enhance their long-term health prospects.
