ScienceMadeSimple: Easy Explanations for Everyone

Table of Contents Introduction How the Study Worked Key Findings What We Still Don’t Know Why It Matters Disclaimer Acknowledgements Introduction Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, often linked to high cholesterol and other risk factors. Statins, which lower cholesterol, are commonly prescribed, but there has been debate about the optimal timing to start therapy. Should high-risk patients begin statins immediately or wait until disease progression? A 2015 meta-analysis published in BMC Medicine pooled data from multiple trials across various countries to answer this question, focusing on the benefits of early statin therapy for patients at high risk of cardiovascular events. How the Study Worked The researchers combined data from randomized controlled trials including patients with diabetes, hypertension, or existing heart disease....