I have been resistant to taking any medication...got my cholesterol under "control" after age 65 by losing weight and getting back in shape. Followed some bad internet advice on diet though, was eating organic backyard eggs and organic cheese regularly, and the total and LDL went back up. At 72 a follow up cancer CT scan showed moderate coronary artery calcification, and a dye CT revealed a 65-70% calcified blockage of the left anterior descending coronary artery (the widow maker)...probably should have taken the statins and definitely should have researched the dietary connection to heart disease. Gone whole food, plant based diet and a medium dose of Crestor (rosuvastatin), blood pressure down to 110/75, total cholesterol down to 140 with an LDL of 80, Need to get the LDL under 70, preferably under 50. There's a tremendous amount of bad "information" about diet, statins, and artery disease out there, act with caution;)