STAREE trial finds atorvastatin reduces cardiovascular events in older adults

The STAREE trial, a large randomized controlled trial, has found that daily atorvastatin reduces major cardiovascular events by 30% in adults aged 70 and older who have no known history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or dementia. The results, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, address a significant evidence gap regarding statin use for primary prevention in older populations.

While the medication successfully reduced the risk of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary revascularization, researchers noted that it did not significantly improve disability-free survival—defined as survival free of dementia and physical disability—over a median follow-up of 5.9 years.

The study involved 9,971 participants recruited from Australian general practices, with a mean age of 74.7 years. This trial is notable for being the first large-scale study to specifically test statin therapy for primary prevention in this older demographic, a group that has historically been underrepresented in major clinical trials.