Statins: Are They Beneficial in Healthy People?

When you need medication to help lower your cholesterol, your healthcare provider may prescribe a statin. But would you take a statin if you didn’t have high cholesterol? Probably not. However, a recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes suggests that statins may help prevent the consequences of heart disease in those of us with normal cholesterol levels, too.

This study examined over 17,000 individuals participating in the JUPITER trial with high C-reactive protein levels and normal cholesterol levels. C-reactive protein, or CRP, is a marker for inflammation. Inflammation in the inner lining of arteries could contribute to heart disease by encouraging the buildup of cholesterol and other fats in vessels, which could restrict, and eventually obstruct, blood flow.

Researchers found that participants with high CRP levels taking a daily statin, rosuvastatin (Crestor), had their risk of stroke reduced by 48%, while their risk of having a heart attack reduced by 55% compared to those who did not take rosuvastatin. Additionally, those taking rosuvastatin reduced their risk of dying by 20%.

This function of statins shown here comes as no surprise, since other studies have also demonstrated that statins can reduce inflammation. While this study may raise some eyebrows because it was funded by the manufacturers of rosuvastatin (Crestor), it does further establish that statins have other, beneficial effects -- other than lowering cholesterol. Other studies will be needed, however, before healthcare providers begin routinely prescribing statins to those of us with normal cholesterol levels.

More Information:

• What Are Statins?
• Statins and Inflammation
• C-Reactive Protein and Your Heart