If the FDA adopts the panel's recommendation -- the agency isn't required to do so, but typically does in such cases -- it would mark the first time that a statin was approved for heart-disease-free people with healthy cholesterol levels but other risk factors, including high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation.

CNN: FDA considers statin use for those with normal cholesterol

One surprising result of the new study was what factors were predictors of high-risk impact.

CNN: Experts: Parents' deployment puts kids at high risk for problems