I m a 67 year old female, 5 2 , 130 lbs. Small frame. I walk or bike for 45 min. almost everyday.Don t drink or smoke. Eat very little red meat or carbs or sugar. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels have continued to rise over the years after menopause. Results back from recent blood work show total cholesterol at 354, TG s at 526!, HDL at 52, LDL at 222. The tri-g s went up 272 points since my last blood work the end of April. Only thing that has changed is that I ve used doctor ordered Premarin for vaginal atrophy. (0.5 mg twice weekly). My doctor ordered 80mg of Atorvastatin to be taken nightly. I know I need to take a statin, but honestly I m a little freaked out over the maximum dosage being ordered, which I ve read is mostly for people with existing heart problems, or past heart attacks. I have not had any problems or symptoms of either. I ve also read that the higher the dosage, the higher probability of side effects. My blood pressure is normal, blood sugars normal. I take calcium for osteoporosis, and Sertraline (50 mg) for depression. I m going to start back on fish oil capsules. In your opinion, could I start on a lower dose of the Atorvastatin, and what would that be? Both my older sisters were prescribed statins in the last few years, but at lower dosages, as they were not at the higher levels that I have, and one sister is much heavier than I am. My father did have a heart attack, and I remember my mother talking about some blockage in her Carotid artery. Both are deceased. Could I have a familial predisposition for high cholesterol or triglycerides, and if so, the same remedy would be statins, right? Thanks so much for your time.J. Rose