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Cholesterol drug may lower risk of blood clots

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

For individuals with poor cholesterol test results, the risk of suffering further complications like, heart disease or stroke, are elevated. However, new research suggests that a common medication prescribed to treat high cholesterol may do even more to help the problem than previously thought.

A team of researchers from the University of Connecticut found that statins, a type of medication that is currently prescribed to lower cholesterol, may also work to clear veins of dangerous fatty build-ups that can block the flow of blood.

The study's lead author, Vanjul Agarwal, said that the medication could be especially useful for people at risk for pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, two types of vein clots that can lead to heart disease and stroke.

"Statins have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Since thrombus formation involves inflammation, statins may reduce venous thrombus formation and thus, lower the odds of developing [these conditions]," she said.

As many as 600,000 people in the U.S. may have one of these vein clot conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.