Should Obsessively Healthy People Take Statins?

Q. I’m concerned about my very healthy 65 year old dad. He tends to be a bit obsessive about health issues.
He’s lean, exercises daily, eats well (low calorie, low fat, high fruits, veggies, and grains), and his cholesterol runs about 240.
I just found out that he’s been taking simvastatin for 2 years. Mom says Dad wanted to try to achieve the magic 200 number and convinced his doctor. (I don’t know the breakdown of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in his case.)
He does not have heart disease, and there is no history of it in his family. He takes such good care of himself that I worry about him taking a drug he may not need. Please send me some information on cholesterol and the possible side effects of this medication so we can weigh the dangers of having slightly elevated cholesterol against taking simvastatin for years.
A. Simply lowering total cholesterol below 200 does not confer magical protection. Many people suffer heart attacks despite cholesterol levels that low. Of course, if someone is at clear risk of heart disease, or has had a heart attack, getting cholesterol down with a statin-type drug can reduce the danger of another one.
Multiple factors, including smoking and family history, determine the risk of heart disease. The ratio of total cholesterol to “good” HDL should be 4.5 or lower.
Although many people tolerate drugs like simvastatin, serious reactions and interactions can occur more frequently than some physicians realize. We too worry about anyone exposed long-term to an unnecessary drug. You may want to read some stories from others who have been down this path. Here is a link to several threads on the topic of statins and side effects:

Statins and ALS
Statins and Sex
Statins and Diabetes
Statins and Pain
Statins and Memory
For a Guide To Cholesterol and Heart Health with non drug approaches to lowering blood lipids, click on this link.