You May Benefit From Statins If Your Cholesterol Is Normal, Too

Statins are probably the most widely used cholesterol-lowering medications on the market. They affect all aspects of your lipid profile by boosting "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels and lowering other lipids in your blood. But scientists have also touted about the other beneficial effects of statin drugs, such as their anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, a new study suggests that, even if your cholesterol levels are within normal ranges, you may still be able to benefit from the other effects that statins possess.

This trial, referred to as the JUPITER trial, examined a little over 17,000 people with normal cholesterol levels, but high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). C-reactive protein is a general marker for inflammation. It serves as a risk factor for heart disease, but it could also be elevated if you have an infection, injury, or autoimmune disease.

This study found that people taking rosuvastatin (Crestor) were 54% less likely to have a heart attack. Additionally, reductions in death, stroke incidence, LDL, and CRP were also observed in people taking Crestor. Although Crestor was the only statin tested in the study, this is likely a class effect involving all statin drugs. Statins are the only cholesterol-lowering drugs noted to have additional benefits - besides lowering cholesterol.

These findings were reported today at a meeting of the American Heart Association.

Read more about statins and inflammation:

• Basic Information About Statins
• Statins and Infammation
• What Are the Other Health Effects That Statins Possess?