Akira Endo, ‘remarkable’ scientist who discovered statins, dies aged 90
Biochemist found cholesterol-lowering compound in 1973 and the drugs have prolonged millions of lives
February 2024
Brief letters
When grapefruit mustn’t be your cup of tea
Brief letters: Medical effect of grapefruit | Brexit shoulder | Murderous Mozart | Emeritus professors | Rishi Sunak on the edge
November 2023
The experts
The experts: Cardiologists on 20 simple, successful steps to a healthy heart
Our hearts are muscles and need proper fuel and rest. Here is how to keep yours on top form – from avoiding cocaine to watching your cholesterol
January 2023
New statins guidance could make extra 15m people eligible in England
Guidance for NHS says extending cholesterol-lowering treatment could save thousands more lives
August 2022
Taking statins does not commonly cause muscle pain, researchers say
Benefits of cholesterol-lowering drug taken by 8 million people in UK outweigh low risk of side-effects, study finds
February 2022
Less than 10% of patients intolerant to statins, study finds
Largest study of its kind suggests prevalence of intolerance is much lower than was previously thought
October 2021
People taking statins less likely to die from Covid, study suggests
Experts warn findings do not prove cholesterol-lowering drugs can reduce death rates
September 2021
Use of 10p statins in organ donation ‘could save thousands of lives’
Exclusive: NHS launching large trial of approach that could boost number of transplants and their success rate
February 2021
Statins do not cause muscle aches and pains, study finds
UK researchers seek to dispel concerns over pills prescribed for those at higher risk of heart attack and strokes
November 2020
'Nocebo effect' cause of most statin side-effects, study suggests
Negative expectations may play part, with adverse effects reported when taking placebo
January 2020
NHS to trial twice-yearly injection alternative to statins
Mass trial of drug inclisiran comes after health service strikes deal with Novartis
September 2019
Pharmacists can be trusted with statins
GPs alarmed over NHS plans to allow chemists to prescribe statins
April 2019
Statins lack desired effect for half of patients, study finds
Those who showed ‘sub-optimal’ response to cholesterol-lowering drugs also 22% more likely to develop heart disease
January 2019
'Fake news and ageism' keeping statins from older people
Offering statins to all over-75s could prevent 8,000 deaths from heart failure and stroke, researchers say
November 2018
The big fat debate on cholesterol and statins
Letters: Sue Morgan, Maurice Buchalter and Avril Danczak respond to a recent Guardian article on ‘cholesterol-deniers’
October 2017
High-risk patients being underprescribed statins, study finds
Cholesterol-lowering drugs are also being overprescribed to people at low risk of having a heart attack or stroke, researchers find
September 2017
Statins cut the risk of heart disease death by 28% among men, study shows
Longest study of its kind concludes current prescribing guidelines are correct, and that statins show impressive benefits for men with high cholesterol levels
August 2017
Nearly all men over 60 and women over 75 eligible for statins, analysis suggests
11.8 million adults in England are eligible to be offered cholesterol-lowering drugs, say researchers who examined 2014 guidance on statins set out by Nice
May 2017
Statins help improve heart function and structure, study finds
Researchers using MRI scans of participants found those taking the cholesterol medicines were less likely to have a thickened heart muscle (left ventricular hypertrophy
