Doctors and (some) nurses love numbers, so we do tend to concentrate on lowering the magic cholesterol figure. Those of us who are real boffins, tend to look at fractions such as HDL's etc. It makes us look busy, and feel important.
Those in the know, seem to think that there is some, as yet, unknown quality about statins, that protects the heart and circulatory system-suggesting that taking the pill itself is more important than the effect on the cholesterol level.
If I had my way, I'd put it in the water, but then again, I am a bit of a health facist.
Despite some publicised horror stories, the drug seems to be tolerated well by most people. The most common problem seems to be from aching muscles and tummy upsets- better than a stroke I s'pose.