Private MD News

Study: Statins may help reduce risk of developing blood clots

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

A certain cholesterol-lowering drug, mainly used to prevent heart disease, may have an added benefit for people with a healthy level of cholesterol, according to a new study.

Crestor was found to cut the risk of blood clots in people with a low cholesterol level by half, which may convince seemingly healthy people to take the drug, the Associated Press reports.

"It might make some people who are on the fence [to] decide to go on statins," Dr. Mark Hlatky, a Stanford University cardiologist not involved with the study, told the news provider.

The study was led by statistician Robert Glynn and Dr. Paul Ridker of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, according to the article. Ridker was part of the team that invented the C-reactive protein test, or CRP that can measure inflammation in the body, which can indicate clogged arteries.

Though the government does not recommend a CRP test be given routinely, federal officials may be reconsidering that idea, states the AP.

People interested in determining if they may benefit from taking statins may want to get a blood test to test their cholesterol levels or opt for a CRP test to see if their arteries may be at risk.