Statins May Help Prevent Clots in Legs

Drugs that lower cholesterol may also help prevent blood clots in veins, a study suggests. The study included 17,802 people. Half were randomly assigned to take Crestor, a statin drug. The others took placebos (fake pills). Statins reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and inflammation. People in the study did not have high LDL. They did have high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. High levels indicate inflammation. People took the pills for two years. In that time, 34 people taking Crestor and 60 taking the placebo had a blood clot in a leg vein. These clots are much less common than heart attacks, but can kill if they travel to the lungs. Researchers presented the study at a conference. The New England Journal of Medicine published it online. The Associated Press wrote about it March 30.