A Broader Benefit Is Found in a Drug To Cut Cholesterol
New study financed by Merck & Co, drug manufacturer, provides first evidence that people with average cholesterol levels can substantially reduce risk of heart attack by taking lovastatin, drug that drives cholesterol level even lower; found middle-aged to elderly men who took lovastatin over five-year period had 37 percent fewer heart attacks and other serious signs of heart disease than those who had taken placebo; researchers say if findings are put into practice, population eligible for cholesterol-lowering drugs would quadruple to eight million people, from two million who currently qualify for drug treatment; while medical experts say study was well conducted and that its results are solid, results are opening debate among some who question how hard people should try to reduce cholesterol levels below what is considered acceptable, and how much nation should pay to save few more people from heart disease (M)
