Good question, the doctor tried to tell me Statins had other benefits like anti-inflamatory benefits. I've been off statins for almost 3 years. My cholesterol is 186, with my HDL jumping from 40 to 60, (Diet). I had an aortic aneurism operation. At 70 years old they let me out of the hospital two days early. They said nobody had done that before especially at 70 years old. I am on my fourth cardiologist, before I found one that made logical sense. I could write a book on the lack of logic the first three had.