The Statins Revolution Doctors have an amazing new weapon against high cholesterol levels and the problems they can bring.

Statins are a group of drugs that can be used to reduce cholesterol. Statins work by stopping the liver producing as much cholesterol. Patients also need to keep to a relatively low fat diet as well for the best effects.

Here are some different opinions about these exciting new drugs

Drug Company Rep We are delighted with the results we are getting with statins. We have got data from several really large, powerful research trails involving over 30,000 patients.

Drug Company Rep The trials all show similar results. Using a statin drug can lower your chances of having a heart attack or stroke by 25% to 40% - and we didn’t find too many side effects.

GP Doctor Some people just can’t get their cholesterol balance right by changing their diet. It doesn’t matter how hard they try.

GP Doctor I’ve been very pleased with the results using statins. Almost all my patients have now got healthy cholesterol levels.

GP Doctor What’s more, we have lost far fewer people to strokes and heart attacks since we started using the drugs.

Patient I’m so pleased with my new medicine The pills have brought my cholesterol levels right down and I’m feeling really well

Patient I’m very worried about the possible side effects with these new tablets The leaflet said they can cause liver damage.

Patient I know my cholesterol levels were very high without the tablets… …but I think I’m going to stop taking them. I don’t want my liver to rot!

Patient The great thing about these new statins that the doctor’s given me is that they control my cholesterol for me.

Patient It’s back to the cream cakes and chips for me - and I won’t have to worry about my heart!

TASK Write a short report on statins for the health page of your local paper