Even if you're not at high risk for a heart attack or stroke, taking statins can still cut your chances of serious heart or blood vessel problems by about the same amount as it does for people at high risk.

Even people with a low risk of heart problems can get just as much protection from statin pills as those at high risk — which surprises doctors because they used to think only high-risk people benefited much.

Taking statins to lower your 'bad' cholesterol by about 1 point (in mmol/L) can cut your chances of having a heart attack by nearly 40%, even if you're not at high risk for heart disease yet.

Taking statins to lower your 'bad' cholesterol by a small amount can cut your chance of having a heart attack by nearly half—even if you're not at high risk for heart disease yet.

If you're at low risk for heart attacks or strokes in the next five years, taking a statin to lower your 'bad' cholesterol by a small amount can prevent about 11 serious heart or blood vessel problems per 1,000 people over five years — and that help is bigger than the side effects you might get.

Taking statins slightly raises your chance of getting diabetes by a tiny amount—about 0.1% per year—but it cuts your risk of heart attacks and strokes by much more, over 50 times more, especially if you’re not already at high risk for heart disease.