Taking cholesterol-lowering statins could increase your risk of musculoskeletal disorders and joint diseases, new research suggests.

Statins are medications used to reduce blood cholesterol levels in people at risk of heart attacks, strokes, and angina (chest pain). The drugs are frequently prescribed as a preventive measure for older adults, diabetics, and patients with a family history of cardiovascular illnesses. Although statins can lower the risk of heart attacks and death, they can carry musculoskeletal side effects like muscle weakness, muscle cramps, and tendon diseases. However, the full extent of these adverse effects was not well understood.

Researchers from the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas analyzed data from the military healthcare system to test whether statins were tied to musculoskeletal conditions. The study included 46,249 patients who were divided into subgroups based on statin use.

Using a statistical analysis that matched statin users to non-statin users, the researchers calculated the odds ratios, or the likelihood that each group would experience musculoskeletal or joint conditions.