1:27pm UK, Wednesday January 19, 2011
Evidence is lacking to support widespread use of cholesterol-lowering drugs among the "worried well", a study has found.
Statins are highly effective at reducing blood cholesterol levels and are routinely given to heart patients.
But some GPs also advocate their wider use for at-risk patients, and a number of healthy doctors take the pills themselves on a precautionary basis.
Low dose statins are also available over-the-counter at pharmacies without prescription.
Statins generally have mild side-effects but, in rare cases, can lead to a serious muscle-wasting condition.
The new findings from a review of 14 statin trials found the drugs did reduce death rates and helped prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Dr Fiona TaylorThis review highlights important shortcomings in our knowledge about the effects of statins in people who have no previous history of CVD.
But the researchers concluded there was insufficient evidence to justify widespread use of statins in people with no previous history of heart disease.
They stressed the need for caution when balancing the risks and benefits of statins - and questioned the validity of drug company-sponsored trials.
Lead researcher Dr Fiona Taylor, from the Cochrane Heart Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "It is not as simple as just extrapolating the effects from studies in people who have a history of heart disease.
"This review highlights important shortcomings in our knowledge about the effects of statins in people who have no previous history of CVD (cardiovascular disease).
"The decision to prescribe statins in this group should not be taken lightly."
But Dr Laurence Gerlis, a GP who prescribes statins to his patients, told Sky News he disagreed "entirely" with the report.
"Statins are the best invention of the last century. They are life-saving drugs.
Statins: Best invention of last century
"We have to remember that heart disease and strokes are still the major killer in the western world, way ahead of cancer, and statins will change all of our lives dramatically - they will add 10 or 20 years to our lives."
He added: "Anyone with diabetes must be on a statin and anyone over 50 probably should be on a statin.
"If you wait until people have heart disease it's too late, and we have to prevent a build-up of cholesterol on the arteries before it happens."
The researchers pointed out all but one of the studies they looked at were industry-sponsored.
Dr Taylor added: "We know that industry-sponsored trials are more likely to report favourable results for drugs versus placebos, so we have to be cautious about interpreting these results.
"The numbers eligible for treatment with statins are potentially great so there might be motivations, for instance, to stop trials earlier if interim results support their use."
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