Objective To observe and evaluate the efficacy of combined lipoic acid and statins in the elderly who suffered from atherosclerosis. Methods A total of 80 patients with atherosclerosis from Department of Geriatrics of our hospital during September 2014 and September 2015 were recruited in this study. They were randomly divided into control group and lipoic acid group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group received conventional drugs such as atorvastatin calcium, while the lipoic acid group took lipoic acid preparations besides the conventional drugs. The efficacy were evaluated by determining the blood lipid levels, such as tryglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and by carotid internal artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and brachial-ankle artery pulse wave velocity (baPWV) through carotid color Doppler ultrasound and arteriosclerosis in four limbs in 6 months after the treatment. Results The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, hs-CRP, IMT and baPWV were greatly improved in the both groups after 6 months’ treatment when compared with the values before treatment. What’s more, the above results were more significantly in the lipoic acid group than in the control group (all P<0.05). There were some adverse reactions in both groups, including infusion site pain, phlebitis, dizziness or headache, hypoglycemia, and purpura, but with no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion Combination therapy of lipoic acid and statins can reduce the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and hs-CRP, elevate the level of HDL-C, and improve IMT and baPWV. It has good clinical efficacy, causes no serious adverse reactions, and should be promoted for clinical application.