REPORT: Statins May Help, Not Hinder, Heart Bypass Recovery. “People who are taking statin medications and need heart bypass surgery are often told to discontinue the drugs before and after surgery because of concerns about adverse effects. But that may not be a wise idea, a new review of studies has found. . . . Some of the studies found that statin use reduced the likelihood of irregular heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation. Others found that statins reduced the incidence of stroke and heart attack and lowered the risk of postoperative kidney injuries. The exact mechanism is unclear, but cardiac surgery, especially those with prolonged anesthesia, significantly increases inflammation, and statins may help control it.”