If you take a statin to lower your cholesterol, you may have heard stories that these medicines cause muscle pain or muscle damage.

A new study from researchers at the University of Oxford brings reassuring news. The study found that almost everyone who takes a statin has a very low chance of developing a serious muscle problem.

The researchers created a new tool called StatinMD using health information from more than 5.6 million people. They found that between 98% and 99.6% of people who take statins are at very low risk for a serious muscle disease called rhabdomyolysis. This is a rare condition that can damage the kidneys, but it happens in only a very small number of people.

This research is especially important for Black Americans and other communities of color.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Black adults are more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol than many other groups. They are also more likely to have a heart attack or stroke at younger ages. Because of this, doctors often prescribe statins to help protect the heart.

Unfortunately, many people stop taking their statins because they worry about side effects they have heard about from friends, family, or social media. Researchers say this fear may be causing some people to miss out on a medicine that could save their life.

The new study found that a person’s biggest risk for serious muscle problems is not simply taking a statin. Instead, the risk is higher for people who already have certain health conditions, such as kidney disease, liver disease, untreated thyroid disease, or a history of muscle problems. Some medicines can also interact with statins and increase the risk. Older adults and people taking very high doses may also need closer monitoring.

Researchers also learned more about why serious muscle damage happens. In another study published in Science Advances, scientists found that severe muscle injury appears to happen only in a small group of people whose muscle cells are already under stress from other medical conditions or inflammation. For most patients, this process never occurs.

It is also important to know the difference between common muscle aches and a medical emergency.

Many people have sore muscles from exercise, getting older, arthritis, or everyday activities. These aches do not always mean the statin is causing a problem. Researchers have found that many muscle symptoms reported while taking statins are actually caused by something else.

Serious muscle damage is different. It can cause severe muscle weakness, intense pain, and dark-colored urine. Anyone with these symptoms should contact a healthcare provider right away.

Doctors say patients should not stop taking a statin on their own. Stopping suddenly can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially for people who already have heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

If you think your statin is causing side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In many cases, your provider can lower the dose, switch you to a different statin, or check for other health problems that may be causing your symptoms.

The new research offers an important message for communities of color: don’t let fear keep you from protecting your heart. Most people who take statins will never develop a serious muscle problem, and for many patients, the benefits of lowering cholesterol are much greater than the risks.

The best decision is one you make together with your healthcare provider, using the latest scientific evidence and your own personal health history.