Appropriate primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: does this mean more or less statin use?

Treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, commonly known as statins, is beneficial for people at high risk of a cardiovascular event. However, guidelines recommend against routine statin treatment for those with a lower risk. They also recommend waiting until after 45 years of age to assess cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be assessed from age 35 years. These recommendations are based on current evidence of who is more likely to benefit from statin treatment.