Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Found to Help Heart Attack Victims

Cholesterol-lowering drugs can significantly reduce the risk of death in heart attack victims, even if their cholesterol levels are not greatly elevated, according to a new study in today’s New England Journal of Medicine.

In the study, 9,014 people who survived heart attacks or serious angina were randomly assigned to get either pravastatin, also known as Pravachol, or dummy pills. Their cholesterol levels ranged from 155 to 271 milligrams per deciliter. Over six years of follow-up, Pravachol reduced deaths from heart disease by 24%. Deaths from all causes fell by 14% to 11%.

Compiled by Times medical writer Thomas H. Maugh II