(April 15, 2009 - Insidermedicine) From Paris - According to research in the Lancet Neurology, statins can cut stroke risk by one-fifth. In a meta-analysis of over 165,000 patients, researchers found that the incidence of stroke was reduced by 18% in those taking statins. In addition, for every 39-mg/dL reduction in LDL cholesterol, the risk of stroke was reduced by 21%.

From Atlanta - According to research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, an increasing number of Americans are reporting "frequent mental distress". The study found that 10.2% of the 2.4 million adults surveyed reported frequent mental distress between 2003 and 2006, which is up from 9%. Those living in Hawaii had the lowest incidence at 6.6%, while those in Kentucky had the highest at 14.4%.

And finally, from Philadelphia - According to a Cochrane Review, the benefit of soothing music for heart patients is unclear. In a review of 23 studies, researchers found that music could reduce heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure in those with coronary heart disease. However, this effect was not consistent across the studies, and there was little effect on the psychological distress of patients.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.