Statin side-effects only felt by those who believe in them –study

Researchers hope study will end debate around drugs, which could benefit over six million more UK patients

Common side-effects of statins are not down to the drugs, but are instead a result of patients' negative expectations, research suggests.

Statins are typically prescribed to help lower levels of "bad cholesterol" - or low-density lipoprotein - in order to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. A recent report estimated that the drugs prevent around 80,000 such incidents a year in the UK.