Almost everyone over 50 should be put on a statin to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease: A protagonist view.

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the United States (U.S.) and worldwide is immense. The total cost for CVD care in the U.S. for 2010 was over 400 billion dollars.' The levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are critical determinants for the development of CVD.2 It has been clearly established that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statin drugs), are potent LDL-C lowering agents that are the cornerstone of CVD treatment. We will review here the developing evidence to support statin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease for almost everyone over the age of 50.