Over the years, I have discussed the use of statin drugs. Without a doubt, I believe we have “statin” mind set in this country. There is an existing notion that statins are just for everyone, young and elderly, regardless of preexisting CAD, PVD, etc. Despite a lack of clear recommendation for statin use in the elderly, for primary prevention (no preexisting Coronary disease, atherosclerosis) the prescribing of this class of medication continues to rise with no concern for the adverse events associated with them, especially in an elderly population. In fact, the article states that “1/3 of very elderly Americans are on statins without evidence.” Furthermore, “statins are being used ‘without any evidence from testing’ among very elderly people in the US, with levels of prescribing rising from 8.8% in 1999-2000 to 34.1% in 2011-2012 for people who have no vascular disease.”

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