Website intended for a NZ health professional readership
Knowing when to stop preventive medication can be a challenge. Consultant cardiologist Chris Ellis explains why older patients shouldn’t be too quick to drop their statin
1. Gencer B, Marston NA, Im K, et al. Efficacy and safety of lowering LDL cholesterol in older patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Lancet 2020;396(10263):1637–43.
2. Andersson NW, Corn G, Dohlmann TL, et al. LDL-C reduction with lipid-lowering therapy for primary prevention of major vascular events among older individuals. J Am Coll Cardiol 2023;82(14):1381–91.
Pharmacist prescribers Linda Bryant and Leanne Te Karu discuss positive polypharmacy for heart failure. Current evidence shows the intensive implementation of four medications offers the greatest benefit to most patients with heart failure, with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalisations and all-cause mortality
