There is considerable research to show that there an no protective effects from HDL. Some people have a genetic variation that gives them higher HDL levels...no protection against heart attack. Several drugs have been developed that raise HDL levels...no protection found. Quite possible that in some people high HDL levels are a marker for other protective factors, also possible that the basic hypothesis was wrong.

195 total cholesterol may be considered normal among our medical community, so is heart disease and stroke. Population studies of societies who eat basically whole plant foods find average total cholesterol numbers closer to 100 with LDL levels closer to 50-60. Not surprising to find that heart disease and stroke are basically unknown.

LDL is a fairly accurate marker for Apo-b, which is a known and strong causal factor for arterial disease and coronary artery disease. Best to get LDL as low as possible, under 70 with known heart disease. With possible angina you should seriously consider getting a cardiac calcium score, which show the body's reaction to past plaque lesions. Present disease can be seen with a dye angiogram that is minimally invasive...ask me how I know much of this;)