By Kate Kelland LONDON, (Reuters) – – The benefits of statins – cholesterol-busting drugs that can dramatically reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes – have been underestimated and their harms exaggerated, scientists said on Thursday in a major review of research. In an effort to counter what they said were misleading reports of high levels of side effects, the scientists said in the Lancet medical journal there was a “serious cost to public health” in such claims, which can dissuade people from taking beneficial medicines. “Our review shows that the numbers of people who avoid heart attacks and strokes by taking statin therapy are very much larger than the numbers who have side effects,” said Rory Collins, a professor at the Clinical Trial Service Unit at Britain’s Oxford University.
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Statins’ benefits understated and harms exaggerated, scientists warn
