Using statins in people with normal cholesterol divides heart doctors, confuses patients

Cholesterol drugs for the healthy still debatable

CHICAGO — Should healthy people with normal cholesterol take a daily statin drug to prevent heart problems? The question is dividing heart doctors and confusing patients.

An analysis published Monday questions previous research that led to wider use of the AstraZeneca PLC drug Crestor. The Food and Drug Administration in February approved prescribing the drug to patients to help them avoid heart problems. That decision was based on findings of a study two years ago.

But the new research says that earlier study was stopped to soon to know if the drug would be clearly beneficial.

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