A new study led by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center suggests the use of cholesterol-lowering medications commonly known as statins may help prolong the lives of diabetics who also have acquired cardiovascular disease.In the Diabetes Heart Study, 371 patients were followed up for 8.3 years and 153 patients died during the follow-up while 218 survived. The study found that those who took statins at the beginning of the study were at 50% reduced risk of death during the 8-year follow-up.The study is released in the current online edition of Diabetes Care.Diabetes mellitus patients are known to be at high risk for heart disease and stroke.  At least 65% of diabetics die from heart disease or stroke, according to the American Heart Association. (David Liu)