A new study has found that statin drugs, normally prescribed for people with high cholesterol, may also reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes among those with low cholesterol levels and no other major risk factors for heart disease.

The study participants all had normal levels of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) but also had elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation that may prove to be a good predictor of heart disease. About 4% of the adult population fits these criteria and may potentially benefit from use of statins. Researchers are unclear as to why statin drugs reduce disease risk in this population.

The study tracked more than 17,000 people in 26 countries and showed that people taking the statin drug Crestor (rosuvastatin) were 54% less likely to experience a heart attack, 48% less likely to have a stroke, and 20% less likely to die from any cause. The effects were seen across all subgroups, regardless of gender, race, weight, or other factors.

Statins are the world’s top selling class of drugs and include Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor, and generic versions. The study was paid for by AstraZeneca, the makers of Crestor.

This study provides some encouraging insight about the potential benefits of statins in people with low cholesterol. However, the costs of taking statin drugs, both in expense and potential side-effects, might outweigh any reductions in heart attack and stroke risk. To find out more, talk to your health care provider or ask the experts on Healia Health Communities. For more about heart disease, cholesterol, and CRP, see the Healia Health Guide on Heart Disease.

_{Photo: kk+, Flickr, Creative Commons}