A trial published by The BMJ today finds no overall effect of statins on the frequency or severity of muscle symptoms compared with placebo in people who had previously reported severe muscle symptoms when taking statins.

Most people completing the trial planned to restart treatment with statins.

Statins are widely used to prevent heart disease and stroke and while severe side effects are rare, many people believe that statins can cause muscle pain and stiffness, even though there is no clear clinical trial evidence to support this.

This belief has led to patients stopping treatment, exposing them to an increased risk of serious heart problems.