History of statins
| 1900s | German pathologist Virchow noticed the artery walls of patient contained a substance identified as cholesterol |
|---|---|
| 1950s | Compactin, the first statin was discovered in Japan. |
| 1970s | Framingham study showed links between cholesterol and heart disease. |
| 1978 | Merck Research Laboratories discovered Lovastatin (the first commercially available statin). |
| 1984 | NIH conclude that lowering elevated LDL cholesterol with diet and drugs would reduce risk of CHD. |
| 1987 | Lovastatin becomes available by prescription |
| 1990–1994 | 4S trial shows unequivocally a reduction of mortality with simvastin (men and women aged 35-70 years). |
| 1995–1998 | 5 clinical outcome trials show a reduction of coronary events with very few adverse effects |
| 2000 | Heart Protection study confirms safety of statins in five year trial of 20,000 patients (men and women aged 40-80 years; most participants aged under 70). |
| 2013 | US guidelines on statin use change to recommend statin use in those with a 7.5% or higher 10 year risk of cardiovascular disease in those aged 40-75 years. No guidance for those aged over 75. |
| 2014 | The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) draft new guidelines on statin use, which recommends primary prevention statin therapy for those with an increased risk of coronary vascular disease, up to age 84. |
| 2015 | Launch of the first primary preventive trial of statins in those aged over 70 in Australia – the STAREE trial. |