This new evidence, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that statins may provide meaningful protection far beyond the highest-risk group.
Statins are medications designed to lower LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol, which plays a major role in clogging arteries and triggering heart attacks and strokes. People with type 2 diabetes already have a higher lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease, yet doctors have long debated whether statins are necessary for patients whose short-term (10-year) heart risk appears low.
To investigate, researchers from the University of Hong Kong analyzed real-world health records from the IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD)-UK database. The study included adults aged 25 to 84 in the UK who had type 2 diabetes but no prior history of major cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. Participants were followed for up to 10 years, allowing researchers to track long-term outcomes.
The team compared individuals who started statin therapy with those who did not. Participants were grouped based on their predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease—a tool commonly used in clinics to decide whether statins should be prescribed. The researchers then examined outcomes such as death from any cause and major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.
The findings were clear and consistent. Across every risk category, people taking statins had lower rates of death and fewer serious cardiovascular events. Crucially, this benefit was seen even among individuals labeled as low risk, challenging the assumption that statins only help those with high predicted short-term risk.
Safety was also carefully assessed. The study found only a very small increase in muscle-related side effects in one risk group, and no increased risk of liver problems—two common concerns surrounding statin use.
REFERENCE: Vincent Ka Chun Yan, Joseph Edgar Blais, John-Michael Gamble, Esther Wai Yin Chan, Ian Chi Kei Wong, Eric Yuk Fai Wan. Effectiveness and Safety of Statins in Type 2 Diabetes According to Baseline Cardiovascular Risk. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2025; DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-00662
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