Statins 'slash risk of developing dementia' in major boost to 10million Brits taking cholesterol pills

Statins 'slash risk of developing dementia' in major boost to 10million Brits taking cholesterol pills Statins could lower the risk of developing dementia, according to the largest study of its kind presented at world’s biggest heart conference in Munich Taking statins could slash the risk of developing dementia, new research suggests. Up to ten million Brits take statins to lower the risk of heart attack and strokes. Now scientists say the cholesterol-busting pill could be a new weapon against dementia, which is now Britain’s biggest killer. Research presented in Munich at the world’s largest heart conference showed people taking statins were up to 15% less likely to develop dementia. The drugs reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood, which can lead to plaque build-up in arteries and increase the chance of heart attacks, strokes and heart disease. Experts now suspect that high LDL cholesterol can increase your risk of developing dementia by hardening or narrowing blood vessels which perforate the brain. Prof Isabel Goncalves, member of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) committee, who was not involved in the research, hailed the findings. “Because statins are widely available and inexpensive, the findings are potentially important.” More than 132,000 people in Denmark were tracked between 2006 and 2021 in the largest study of its kind. Those who started on statins during the study period were 10% less likely to develop dementia, whereas those who had already started taking them before the study period were 15% less likely. The findings presented at the ESC annual congress looked at patients with Type 2 diabetes, but experts believe the protective effect could extend to all users of the drug. Prof Bryan Williams, chief scientific officer of the British Heart Foundation, said: “Dementia is one of the biggest health challenges facing our ageing population. “Research suggests that people with diabetes are at higher risk of developing dementia, as it can damage blood vessels, increase inflammation and affect how well brain cells use glucose, which they need to function. This large study suggests that starting statins soon after diagnosis may reduce the risk of developing dementia over the following decade.” Almost a million people in the UK are living with dementia, and it kills about 80,000 people every year. Experts say the new research does not prove that statins can prevent dementia. However, it is thought that LDL cholesterol could drive the formation of plaques in arteries and disrupt the brain’s blood supply to increase the risk of the degenerative brain condition. Previous research from The Lancet dementia commission suggested addressing 14 modifiable risk factors, starting in childhood and continuing throughout life, could prevent or delay 45% of dementia cases. Dr Tummas Ternhamar, from Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, who presented the results, said: “Detecting and treating high levels of LDL cholesterol from midlife is one such highlighted risk factor. What our findings also add is that timing matters within that - acting early looks better than acting late.” Dr Honorine Lebraud, of Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This observational study adds to growing evidence linking cardiovascular health and brain health. It reinforces the fact that what’s good for the heart is good for the brain.” Dr Richard Oakley, associate director at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “With one in three people expected to develop dementia in their lifetime, understanding the factors that influence risk is vital. Dementia risk is complex, influenced by a wide range of factors. While some risks, like age, cannot be changed, making positive lifestyle changes, such as staying physically active and eating well, can play a key role in reducing our risk of dementia.” The findings were also published in The Lancet medical journal.