The data from a significant study revealed that AstraZeneca’s powerful cholesterol fighter Crestor has significantly reduced deaths, heart attacks and strokes in women at least as much as in men.

This study has provided new evidence related to the benefits of the drug in a population that is understudied previously.

The study demonstrated that Crestor reduced heart attack, stroke, need for bypass or angioplasty procedures and even cardiovascular death by 45% over less than two years.

These statistics were surprising since these patients had healthy cholesterol levels but there were high levels of a protein which is related to inflammation and heart disease suggesting that the drug may have significant benefits.

Alex Gold, AstraZeneca's U. S. director for Crestor clinical development, said in a statement, "Women have been an underrepresented population in primary prevention statin outcomes trials and there has been limited evidence that women can benefit from statin therapy."

The study leader, Dr Paul Ridker, said that the results of the study on equivalent benefit for women will help cardiologists write guidelines about getting their LDL to target levels.

He suggested that women need to spend time with their doctors and find out a way to lower the risk of heart attack.

The largest benefit for women was observed in need for repeat artery-clearing procedures, which was lessened by a huge 76%, as per the company.