Cholesterol Drugs Cut Clot Risk

Large study looked at other possible drug benefits
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 30, 2009 11:47 AM CDT
Cholesterol Drugs Cut Clot Risk
A recent study found that statins also dramatically cut the occurrence of potentially deadly blood clots in healthy people.   (Shutterstock)

Cholesterol-lowering drugs showed sizable effects on patients in a new study, but not only in the realm of lowering heart attack and stroke risk. The statins, which are sold under the brand name Crestor, also dramatically cut the occurrence of potentially deadly blood clots in healthy people, reports the New York Times. Some doctors viewed the findings with reservations, however.

“I can’t imagine that you would be treating people prophylactically yet,” cautions the president of the American Heart Association. “The dilemma is we don’t want to put patients on medications that they don’t need." Some worry about harmful side effects like kidney problems, though this extensive study didn't see a rise in such risks.
(More medical breakthrough stories.)

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