We are often encountered with the question, “My doctor wants to start me on a statin for my high cholesterol, is it a good idea?” Ultimately, this is not a question that we can answer, as it is a very individual decision that comes down to a conversation between each patient and their personal physician.However, what we hope to do in the following article is to demystify the topic of cholesterol and statin medications. We will review the guidelines that doctors are working with when it comes to deciding which patients may benefit from statin medications, as well as the potential benefits and harms of these medications.Our goal is for you to better understand all of the factors that should be taken into consideration so that you can go to a conversation with your personal physician more informed and better able to make the best decision for your unique situation.