I cannot take any statin because it has adverse reactions to another condition I have. I have not taken anything for 'high' cholesterol in several years. My total cholesterol stays about 230. I am 63 and have had no heart attacks, no strokes, etc. I did a great deal of research and learned that our body makes its own cholesterol because we need it, especially our brains. Yes, statins reduce cholesterol levels but it doesn't distinguish between what is needed and what isn't. Personally, I think the premise that everyone needs to be below 100 (it used to be 200) assumes that we are all exactly alike when we are individuals with different needs. Every year at my annual physical my PCP uses a mathematical equation which determines my likelihood of having a heart attack. Every year my chances are 3% over the next 10 years that I will have a heart attack. We no longer discuss lowering my cholesterol.