Protective power: Statins can be good for the heart

Two interesting medical developments came across my desk this week, one indicating that those taking statins to lower cholesterol might have a bonus effect — lowering the risk of atrial fibrillation.

The second development was you might pick up a urinary tract infection from your pet.Statins are taken by more than two million patients to lower cholesterol, but it seems they are getting a second benefit.

French researchers analyzed data from six trials involving almost 3,600 patients.

All of them had had atrial fibrillation in the past or had a high risk of developing it following a heart attack or coronary bypass surgery.

Patients who were taking statins were 61 percent less likely to develop atrial fibrillation than patients not on them, the study showed.

“A positive effect of statins on atrial fibrillation may contribute to a reduction in the number of strokes or episodes of worsening heart failure,” said Dr. Laurent Fauchier of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Trousseau, in Tours.

Meanwhile, Minneapolis-based researchers are reporting that picking up an E. coli bug from your pet might lead to a urinary tract infection.

Sharing of E. coli strains among humans and pets within a household, including strains that can cause urinary tract infections is extremely common.

Harboring the same strain of the bug implies that it is passed from one person or animal to another.