London, Jan 20 (IANS): Using statins, commonly used to prevent heart attacks, may also have the potential to stop blood clots from forming in the veins by 25 per cent, say researchers, including one of Indian-origin.

The condition, which affects millions globally, is one of the most preventable causes of hospital deaths, the study said.

The findings revealed that statins also known as cholesterol-lowering pills, reduces the threat of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by between 15 and 25 per cent.

"The research underscores a potential beneficial role of statin therapy on VTE in addition to its established role in cardiovascular disease prevention," said Kamlesh Khunti, Professor at the University of Leicester in the Britain.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the formation of blood clots in the vein. When a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, it is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT.

If that clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism or PE.

Currently, statins are only approved for lipid lowering in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

"But they have shown great promise beyond their established lipid-lowering effects and these include potential beneficial impact on multiple disease conditions," added Setor Kunutsor from the University of Bristol in Britian.

For the study, the team conducted an analysis of 36 studies involving more than 3.2 million people.

The study was published in The Lancet Haematology.