Statins and Blood Pressure Medications Reduce Cardiovascular Risk Gap for Adults with Obesity Over 40, Study Finds

Adults aged 40 and above living with obesity have been found to exhibit cholesterol and blood pressure levels comparable to those of healthy-weight individuals, largely due to widespread use of statins and antihypertensive medications, according to new research published in The Lancet.

The study, which analyzed nearly 1 million adults across seven countries including England, Japan, the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Finland, revealed that cardiovascular risk factors among people with obesity have “narrowed or disappeared” in middle and older age. Data from 110 health surveys conducted between 1990 and 2024 showed that medication use has effectively reduced disparities in non-HDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure.

Researchers found that individuals with obesity aged 40 and over often matched or even exceeded the cardiovascular health markers of their normal-BMI counterparts, particularly in England, the U.S., Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. However, this convergence was less evident in adults under 40, who still exhibited higher levels of unhealthy cholesterol and elevated blood pressure.

Prof. Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London noted, “Our study suggests that, in high-income countries, taking medication to lower blood pressure and cholesterol has helped middle-age and older adults lower their cardiovascular risk to levels that are similar to people with normal BMI.”

While the findings highlight the effectiveness of modern cardiovascular treatments, experts caution that obesity remains a significant health risk factor. Prof. Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, emphasized, “These medications are needed because of the adverse effects of obesity on cardiovascular disease risk. Moreover, obesity still affects the body in many other ways and increases the risk of other health problems, including diabetes, kidney disease and some cancers.”

The research underscores the importance of continued monitoring and treatment strategies as weight-loss medications become increasingly popular. Early intervention, screening, and appropriate medication use in younger adults with obesity are recommended to prevent long-term cardiovascular complications.

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