BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. But patients at risk for stroke may be able to lower their odds by taking cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.

Doctors in France analyzed 24 clinical studies and found those taking statins had an 18 percent lower risk of stroke than those taking a placebo.

The bigger the cholesterol drop, the greater the reduction in stroke risk.

The study also found no apparent increase in bleeding strokes among those taking statins -- a concern that arose from earlier research.

Essentially all high-risk patients appeared to benefit from the statin treatment -- men and women, young and old even diabetics.

Researchers said that patients with risk factors such as older age, obesity, diabetes and a history of smoking should likely be taking a statin if their cholesterol is high.

Doctors said the brand of statin doesn't matter so much as the patient response -- any statin can be effective if it lowers a patient's LDL cholesterol to recommended levels.