British researchers did a review of medical literature and found the drugs did appear to slash deaths ever so slightly in patients at low risk of heart disease.
But many of the reports they looked at, all but one funded by drugmakers were flawed.
While all the studies focused on benefits, only half provided information on the side effects of the drugs.
Scientist's reporting in the Cochrane Collaboration say there is evidence that the reports cherry picked the best outcomes for patients.
Experts say while statins are relatively safe, they may cause muscle and joint pain in some patients, Moreover, their long term effect on muscle tissue is unknown.
