One of the most recent articles published on the treatment of COVID-19 discusses the use of statins. Statins are usually prescribed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood however they also have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties, which could make them appropriate for treating COVID-19.

Given a lack of randomized clinical trial data to support the use of statins for the treatment of COVID-19, no one is yet advising that people begin taking statins unless they have a clinical reason to do so. In fact, at a recent ACC conference, one researcher was quoted as saying “patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and given atorvastatin fared no better than patients who were given a placebo.”

Will future studies prove that this medication is helpful in treating COVID-19? Maybe… maybe not, but at the end of the day, don’t ask your physician to order a medication because you “heard” it might help. Let the experts do what they do, take care of our medical needs and guide our treatment based on research, not speculation. Stay well, stay informed, and stay tuned!