Cholesterol-lowering with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors [statins] reduces the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke by at least one-third, and reduces the need for arterial surgery, angioplasty and amputations, according to data from the Heart Protection Study (HPS), the world's largest lipid-lowering trial. Moreover, the benefits were seen irrespective of age, gender or history of MI, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or vascular disease, and even if cholesterol levels were not high enough to require statin therapy under current guidelines. Results from the HPS, conducted by the UK Medical Research Council and British Heart Foundation, were presented at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association [Anaheim, US; November, 2001].*