The Study
The impact of statins on calcified plaque burden in patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease
This study looked at people who were already taking statins and compared them to people who weren’t. It found that those on statins tended to have more hard, calcified plaque. But it doesn’t prove statins caused that — maybe people who get statins are already sicker, and that’s why their plaques look different.
Analysis score
Maximum 44 for a cross-sectional study.
Where the score came from
Statins are pills that help prevent heart attacks. This study looked at people with clogged arteries that aren't blocking blood flow yet, and found that those taking statins had more hard, calcified plaque and less soft, squishy plaque.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 544 / 100
Quality score
Snapshots of a population at a single point in time, or descriptions of small groups. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine cause and effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Even though plaques got harder, they didn't get bigger or more dangerous — suggesting statins may be making plaques less likely to rupture and cause heart attacks.
- 2Statin users had 40% higher odds of having above-average calcified plaque (OR 1.4), and less soft plaque — but total plaque and dangerous low-attenuation plaque were the same.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
European Heart Journal
Year
2025
Authors
C. A. Berge Hondros, E. B. Almeland, S. Hanseth, S. Hovland, T. Larsen, M. T. Lønnebakken
Related Content
Claims (6)
Among patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, those taking statins have a 40% higher chance of having a calcified plaque burden above the median level observed in the study population, after accounting for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and smoking.
Patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease who take statins have a lower amount of soft, unstable plaque in their arteries compared to those who do not take statins.
In people with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, statin use does not change the total amount of plaque or the amount of low-attenuation plaque, but it changes the makeup of the plaque without altering its overall volume.
Patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease who take statins have higher coronary artery calcium scores than those who do not take statins.
In people with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, taking statins does not change the amount of low-attenuation plaque in the arteries, which is the type of plaque most likely to cause heart attacks.
Statins increase calcium buildup in arteries while lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes by making atherosclerotic plaques more stable.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.