HEALTH TOPICS 
By the way, doctor: Why don't statins damage the heart muscle?
Q. I've heard that statin drugs can cause muscle damage. Since the heart is a muscle, why don't statins cause heart damage?
A. You ask an interesting question. The statin drugs that people take to lower cholesterol do sometimes injure the skeletal muscles that move the limbs and other parts of the body. It's not entirely clear how that happens.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise