Cholesterol Drugs Could Also Help Healthy People

November 9, 2008 11:42 a.m. EST

Miami, FL (AHN) - People with low-to-normal cholesterol levels, but elevated liver proteins known as C-reactive protein, or CRP, could significantly lower their risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease by taking drugs now prescribed only to patients with high cholesterol.

Nearly 18,000 people in 26 countries participated in the clinical trial, the results of which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine Sunday, Nov. 9.

All participants had low-to-normal cholesterol levels, but elevated levels of CRP, which can indicate inflammation in the body and can contribute to heart disease, the number-one killer of men and women in the United States.

Participants in the study took 20 milligrams of the drug Rosuvastatin -- sold commercially as Crestor -- or a placebo pill.

Crestor's maker, AstraZeneca, funded the study, but CNN reported that the head researcher, Dr. Paul Ridker of the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said the company had no input in the study and didn't see results until the study was ready for publication.

Researchers found that participants taking Crestor cut their combined risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease by 47 percent compared with those taking a placebo.

Risk of heart attack among participants was cut by 54 percent, risk of stroke was reduced by 48 percent and total mortality was cut by 20 percent.