Statins and dementia risk: AdventHealth physician weighs in on recent study

Statins, commonly prescribed for the prevention and treatment of heart disease, are some of the most frequently used medications in the U.S. Some recent studies have explored whether statin therapy might elevate the risk of dementia.

Rajesh Shah, MD, an AdventHealth interventional cardiologist, told The Healthy, a Reader’s Digest publication, that “there has been no definite link. However, statin therapy is a mainstay in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease.”

In fact, a recent Lancet Regional Health study revealed that statins could be key in reducing dementia in individuals with heart failure. The article showed statin use lowered the risk of dementia compared with non-use by 20%. Statins’ primary role is to reduce and manage cholesterol, but their influence on the brain is complex due to the brain’s high cholesterol needs for normal function.

Margaret Brennan, one of Dr. Shah’s patients for over 15 years, has been on statins for the last 30 years and believes the medication saved her life.

“He (Dr. Shah) said that the statins really protected you and the vessels in your brain, and you did not have a stroke,” the 75-year-old Brennan recently told WFTV News.

Brennan also credits Dr. Shah for helping to educate her on how important a healthy lifestyle is as she ages, and she believes this prescription, in addition to the statin, has also led to maintaining her body and brain health.

“He encourages me to make better food choices and to remain active, so I walk most mornings, read, complete word games, travel, and stay socially active in my community,” said Brennan.

Read more about how this treatment could provide more than cardiovascular benefits and potentially reduce dementia.

Dr. Shah is part of the AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, which was recently recognized by Becker's Hospital Review as one of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs for 2024, celebrating outstanding cardiovascular care, superior patient outcomes and advanced technologies.