Statins, the most widely used class of drugs in the United States, are commonly prescribed to patients at risk of heart attacks or strokes due to heart disease or high cholesterol. Though there has not been a statin recall, a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine casts doubt over whether the drugs would work as a preventative measure for patients not currently at risk of heart attacks.

The drugs, which include Crestor, Zocor and others, work by lowering excessive levels of artery-clogging "bad" cholesterol and decreasing inflammation in blood vessels. Statins are believed to help stave off other medical problems ranging from lung disease to dementia, which is why some medical experts have suggested that the public would benefit from general use of statins.

However, the study by the University of Toronto's Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan casts doubt on the possible benefits of prescribing statins to prevent cardiovascular disease in individuals with healthy cholesterol levels. For these patients, the analysis found statins did not significantly lessen their risk of a major coronary event, such as a heart attack or stroke. Statins also did not improve their overall risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Statins are commonly used throughout the United States, and include:

• Crestor
• Praradol
• Zocor
• Lescol
• Altocor
• Meracor

Source: "Study doubts benefits of universal statin drug use," Reuters, November 28, 2006, accessed November 29, 2006.