Taking statins ‘may cause muscle aches’

People are genetically predisposed to suffering muscle aches and pains when taking statins, a new study found.

Many people prescribed the pills stop taking them because of the side effect, putting them at higher risk of developing diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

A study led by the University of Dundee found there was a common variant in a gene that predisposes people to developing muscle aches, regardless of whether they are taking statins.

But there was a genetic sub-group of people who have a higher risk of muscle aches caused by the pills.

The findings could allow doctors to screen people for this gene so they can be given alternatives while those genetically predisposed could be warned about the possibility of developing symptoms.