Cholesterol isn't viewed the way it used to be. My triglycerides and cholesterol have been high for years. I've had Dr's "strongly suggest" that I take statins but I have always refused. I am able to keep the numbers reasonable with diet and exercise (and reducing alcohol--one of the biggest contributors). My latest doc. said don't worry about it too much. He pulled up a chart that at my age (45-ish) my increased risk from the elevated levels I have is something like under 1%. It's my opinion (and that's really all it is) that way too many people are taking these drugs unnecessarily. That said, I know there are stroke risks in certain populations.

Probably way more than you wanted to read