Study Finds Daily Statins Use May Decrease Heart Risk by 35% in HIV Patients

Daily use of statins, or cholesterol-lowering drugs, may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes in people with HIV by 35%, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Statins are a class of drugs that reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. By lowering LDL cholesterol, statins help prevent the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. They are commonly prescribed to manage and prevent heart disease in the general population and have now shown promise for those living with HIV.

People living with HIV face a 50-100% increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. The research showed that daily statin use could prevent one in five major cardiovascular events or premature deaths in 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 LDL cholesterol levels.

Researchers also noted that while lowering LDL cholesterol reduces risks for heart attacks and strokes, the findings suggested additional benefits of statin therapy for people living with HIV.

The study further highlighted the need to address comorbidities like cardiovascular disease in the management of HIV, which affects more than 38 million people worldwide, with 1.5 million new diagnoses in 2021, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Addressing cardiovascular risks is crucial for improving the overall health and longevity of individuals living with HIV.

Reference: Amena Alhammadi,Rasha Alshawaf,Swati Chavda,Sonya Ramondino,Mindy Schuster,Infectious Diseases: What You May Have Missed in 2023, Annals of Internal Medicine, (2024); https://doi.org/10.7326/M24-0679