A Catalyst episode on heart disease last year breached the ABC's standards on impartiality, the corporation's independent watchdog has found.

The two-part program on statins and heart disease, which aired in October last year and was collectively titled Heart of the Matter, prompted a number of complaints.

In a statement released today, ABC managing director Mark Scott said an investigation by the ABC's independent Audience and Consumer Affairs Unit (A&CA) into the episodes had been detailed and thorough.

"While acknowledging the importance of public health issues relating to the efficacy of heart disease treatment and the contrasting opinions of highly-qualified scientists, the A&CA has concluded that the second episode breaches ABC standards on impartiality," he said.

"The issue has been extensively covered overseas and continues to be the subject of debate within medical circles.

"I would like to see our science programs on radio and TV work together to revisit it, whilst taking absolute care to comply with our rigorous editorial policies."

Online links to both of the episodes have since been removed from the Catalyst website.

In addition, information has been added to the program website and the ABC corrections page.

Heart Foundation CEO Mary Barry says she hopes the correction will help to address the confusion caused by the programs.

The programs had questioned the link between heart disease and cholesterol, as well as the widespread use of anti-cholesterol drugs known as statins.

After the episodes went to air the Heart Foundation criticised the program, saying it had led to patients stopping or changing their medication.

In addition, doctors and specialists also expressed concern saying statins had been clinically proven to reduce the risk of heart disease.

At the time, a Heart Foundation survey of more than 1,000 Australians taking statins found almost one in 10 people stopped taking their prescribed medication because of the program.

Following the airing of the program NPS MedicineWise reviewed the clinical evidence on statins and found that people at high risk of a heart attack or stroke benefit substantially from statins in terms of reducing risk.

The CEO of NPS MedicineWise Dr Lynn Weekes has welcomed the ABC's ruling on the program.

"We are pleased that the ABC has recognised that they are a trusted news source for many Australians and taken steps to reinforce that viewers should seek qualified medical advice before making important decisions about their health."