Taking statins slashes the risk of dying from Covid by more than a third, according to new research. The cholesterol-busting drugs combat severe symptoms such as breathing problems and persistent chest pain.
They are one of the world's most popular medications - dampening inflammation in blood vessels. Now a study of nearly 39,000 patients hospitalised with the coronavirus found regular users had better outcomes.
Lead author Professor Ettore Crimi, of Central Florida University in the US, said: "While there is no 'magic bullet' to help patients who are very ill with Covid-19, statins decrease inflammation, which may help reduce the severity of the disease. Results of our study clearly showed regular statin use is associated with reduced risk of death and improved outcomes in hospitalised Covid-19 patients."
The analysis is one of the most extensive of its kind - looking at the relationship between the drugs and Covid mortality. It was based on electronic medical records from 185 hospitals across the US between January 1 and September 30, 2020.
Almost one in three of the Covid patients - 30% per cent - were statin users - among whom death rates were 37% lower. They were also significantly less likely to be discharged to hospice, admitted to intensive care or develop blood clots. They also had shorter hospital stays and spent less time on a ventilator.
Covid itself causes inflammation - which increases in some cases where the immune system responds too aggressively to the infection. The extreme reaction damages the lungs, kidneys, heart, brain and vascular system and leads to poor breathing.
Anti-inflammatory actions of statins "cool the process" so the disease is not as severe, explained Dr Crimi. Statins are taken by six million Britons to reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Crimi said: "This research illustrates the importance of evaluating medications that could be repurposed to help patients in ways other than their intended use. Our results suggest statins could be an additional cost-effective solution against Covid-19 disease severity and should be studied further."
The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Society of Anaesthesiologists in New Orleans. Last year a study of almost a million Swedes also found those taking statins were less likely to die from Covid.
