Drug can prevent potential attacks

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Sep 2005.

Many more people could lower their risk of suffering heart attacks and strokes by taking a cholesterol-busting drug.

Statins are prescribed mainly to patients with high levels of cholesterol.

However, a study by researchers at the Universities of Oxford and Sydney suggests that anyone with cardiovascular disease, regardless of cholesterol levels, could benefit from the drug. Last year the UK became the first country in the world to allow statins to be sold over the counter in chemists.

The Government hoped the move would encourage people to take more control of their own health if they believed they faced a greater risk of heart disease.

Statins act on the cholesterol-regulating enzyme which alters its general activity in the liver.

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