“20% risk means we need to without a doubt medicate people for the rest of their... | Hacker News

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		AbstractH24 3 months ago \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: Coronary artery calcium testing can reveal plaque ... “20% risk means we need to without a doubt medicate people for the rest of their life!” This really says something to me about American medicine. Something is going to get you at some point. Is something that has a 80% risk of not happening really justify medication which comes with it own cost and risk? Another article on this topic was posted a few weeks ago and prompted the same reaction in me.

AnotherGoodName 3 months ago | [–]

This is a recommendation done globally though. 20% risk = statins. This is true in Japan, Europe, China, Oceania, etc.

AbstractH24 3 months ago | | [–]

Why does that fact make it not worth questioning?

kelipso 3 months ago | [–]

Yep, doctors in the US routinely prescribe statins for people with less than 5% risk. Very common.

AbstractH24 3 months ago | [–]

Why does common equal not worth questioning?

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