Test for gene may lower statin drug side affects

In rare cases, statins can cause muscle pain and weakness.

It's a serious side effect that can then lead to muscle breakdown, kidney failure and death.

Researchers reporting in "The New England Journal of Medicine" have identified a gene that helps predict a person's risk for this side effect.

The finding raises hopes that a test could be developed to screen heart patients to determine who might be a genetic risk.

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