I'm in the RAF. When I had my first blood test on transfering to aircrew, my cholesterol count was 9.3 - so what? I thought and suggested to the doc that perhaps this level was normal for my body - I'd been born that way? He went to some lengths to explain that; at the time, the national average was 4.2 and that a higher level would lead to severe heart problems in the future, especially with a reading like mine!
Time has passed by, I tried the statins which did bring the reading down but unfortunately, my body is alergic to them (that took some finding out, but at least I no longer have a permanent sore throat and I can now sleep at night!)
Anyway, to cut a long story short, my current reading is 6.3.
The most recommended ways of reducing levels are:
1. Eat more of a mediterranean diet in the way of salads and salad oils.
2. Cardiovascular exercise will help enormously.
3. If you smoke, give up. It won't reduce the cholesterol level but will help to avert the impending heart attack!
By the way, when I was taking the statins, my level reduced to 5.2!
Good luck!