Statins, the cholesterol-lowering medications, have been found to be effective and safe, even when used for long periods of time, according to British researchers.
The 11-year study found that simvastatin (brand name Zocor) reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by almost one-quarter.
Additionally, the researchers found no increase in illness or deaths from cancer or other non-vascular causes as a result of using the drug.
The study was led by Dr. Richard Bulbulia, a consultant vascular surgeon and research fellow in the clinical trial service unit at the University of Oxford in England.
"All those at increased vascular risk should start taking statins early and continue taking them long term," Bulbulia said, reports MedPage Today.
"This will maximize the reductions in heart attacks, strokes and other vascular diseases, and is safe," he said.
There are numerous other drugs in this class of medication, and Bulbulia said, "it seems reasonable to assume that [this study's findings] should hold true for other currently prescribed statins,” MedPage Today reports.
Other commonly used statins include Lipitor, Crestor and Mevacor.
The research was funded by the U.K. Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation, Merck & Co. and Roche Vitamins.
