Statin therapy and levels of hemostatic factors in a healthy population: the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Summary Background HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in healthy people. Statins reduce levels of inflammation biomarkers; however, the mechanism for the reduction in VTE risk is unknown. Aim In a large cohort of healthy people, we studied associations of statin use with plasma hemostatic factors related to VTE risk. Methods Cross‐sectional analyses were performed in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a cohort study of 6814 healthy men and women aged 45–84 years, free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline; 1001 were using statins at baseline. Twenty‐three warfarin users were excluded. Age, race and sex‐adjusted mean hemostatic factor levels were compared between statin users and non‐users, and multivariable linear regression models were used to assess associations of statin use with hemostatic factors, adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, aspirin use, hormone replacement therapy (in women), and major cardiovascular risk factors. Results Participants using statins had lower adjusted levels of D‐dimer (− 9%), C‐reactive protein (− 21%) and factor VIII (− 3%) than non‐users (P