COPD Foundation Mar 13 2025 For current and former smokers, statins may reduce the amount of chest muscle loss, while aspirin may contribute to increased chest muscle loss, according to a new study. The study is published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation , a peer-reviewed, open-access journal. Many people who are current or former smokers are prescribed statins to manage high cholesterol and aspirin to manage heart disease.