Crestor, a powerful cholesterol fighter from AstraZeneca's stable of medications, has proven in a landmark study that it is capable of dramatically reducing not only deaths, but heart attacks and strokes also in women, as much as, in men.

Presented about a year ago, the Jupiter study demonstrated over a time period of less than two years, Crestor was able to reduce heart attacks, strokes, bypasses or angioplasty procedure requirements, including cardiovascular death by 45% over less than two years. Surprising results, as the cholesterol levels of patients participating in the study were healthy, even though they had high levels of the protein associated with inflammation and heart disease. These findings suggest the drug may substantially benefit even those who do not have high levels of bad LDL cholesterol.

Of the 6,801 women who took part in the study, a new analysis found Crestor ably reduced major adverse heart events by 46% compared with 42% for male study participants.

Study lead Dr. Paul Ridker, says findings indicating equivalent benefits for women will assist cardiologists to write guidelines about lowering LDL to target levels.

The largest benefit for women among the various adverse events was a 76% reduction in the need for repeat artery-clearing procedures.