Effects of statins on heart attack or stroke risk

Evidence shows that statins may lower a person’s chance of having a heart attack or stroke, especially for people who are at high risk for one. The tables above show the number of people who will have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years, arranged by risk level. The information shown here is based on the best…

Share this article

In this article

Credits:

Medical review: Adam Husney MD, Martin J. Gabica MD, Michael P. Pignone MD MPH FACP

Legal:

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Top of the page

Effects of statins on heart attack or stroke risk

For people at low risk of a heart attack or stroke, about 3 out of 100 will have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years if they don’t take statins. About 2 out of 100 will have a heart attack or stroke if they do take statins. For people at moderate risk of a heart attack or stroke, about 10 out of 100 will have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years if they don’t take statins. About 8 out of 100 will have a heart attack or stroke if they do take statins. For people at high risk of a heart attack or stroke, about 20 out of 100 will have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years if they don’t take statins. About 15 out of 100 will have a heart attack or stroke if they do take statins.

Evidence shows that statins may lower a person’s chance of having a heart attack or stroke, especially for people who are at high risk for one.

The tables above show the number of people who will have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years, arranged by risk level.

The information shown here is based on the best available evidence.

Current as ofApril 9, 2019

Author: Healthwise Staff
Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine
Michael P. Pignone, MD, MPH, FACP – Internal Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.