JAMA: 2012-04-11, Vol. 307, No. 14, Author in the Room™ Audio Interview

Interview with Rita F. Redberg, MD, author of Healthy Men Should Not Take Statins; and Michael J. Blaha, MD, MPH, author of Statin Therapy for Healthy Men Identified as "Increased Risk". Dr Redberg's Summary Points: 1. Drugs given to asymptomatic persons should either help them to feel better or live longer. 2. Statins do not meet these criterion. 3. Lifestyle is cornerstone of primary prevention. Dr Blaha's Summary Points: 1. High-quality literature supports statins for reduction of first heart attack and stroke, in addition to a mild decrease in all-cause mortality over 3 to 5 years. 2. The key to efficient use of statins in primary prevention is risk stratification. 3. We must demand high-quality evidence for benefit and for harm in a potentially beneficial medication class such as statins. 4. Physicians should adhere to national guidelines to guide statin use in primary prevention.