14m could be given heart drug in mass screening for over-40s

Everyone aged between 40 and 70 will be screened to see if they would benefit from taking statins.

The "wonder drugs" will be offered to those with at least a one in five chance of a heart attack or stroke inside ten years.

The plan is expected to be put forward this week by the Government's drugs rationing body, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Experts predict that 14 million people - half of those screened - will be eligible for the lifelong medication even if they show little or no outward sign of illness. Some doctors are worried about the idea of mass-medicating millions of essentially healthy people.

Dr Peter Brindle, a heart disease researcher from Bristol University, told the Sunday Times: "This is turning people into patients. There has to be a public debate about whether society feels this should be done."

Research shows that statins save an estimated 7,000 lives a year and can cut cholesterol levels by up to 45 per cent. Although generally considered safe, they can, in rare cases, cause muscle and liver problems. The drugs are already taken by around four million patients, usually those who have survived a heart attack or stroke.

Current guidelines allow doctors to give statins to those at risk of serious illness.

A national programme would cost the Health Service £560million a year. Supporters say it would save billions by preventing illnesses in later life.

Professor Peter Weissberg, of the British Heart Foundation, said mass screening would help patients assess their risk levels.

A spokesman for NICE confirmed that draft guidelines on strategies for reducing blood fats are due to be published this week.