Cholesterol drugs for the healthy still debatable

CHICAGO (AP) — Should healthy people with low cholesterol take a pill to lower their cholesterol even more in hopes of preventing heart problems? The question is dividing heart doctors and confusing patients.

An analysis published Monday questions research that led federal regulators to allow the statin drug Crestor wider use for prevention. The Food and Drug Administration broadened Crestor's market to millions more people in February, partly because of a study reported in 2008 by Crestor's maker.

Consequently, more doctors are putting healthy people on statin drugs, sometimes inappropriately, heart doctors say. And they say too little attention is paid to potential risks, such as developing diabetes.