High Cholesterol -- what to do?

I recently had a cholesterol test. Results:
Total cholesterol: 288
HDL: 82
LDL: 210
Triglycerides: 51

LDL/HDL ratio: 2.56

Initially, I was alarmed at the total cholesteral count. Then I calmed down and remembered articles I had read saying that the danger of high cholesterol was just a myth. Nonetheless, at the age of 60, I don't feel like being a guinea pig to see if I really can survive without a heart attack.

I came to this forum for education, but found contradictory accounts. There are intelligent posts saying that high cholesterol is OK, and then I read many posts detailing how to lower one's cholesteral. Why lower it if high cholesterol is OK?

I am thin (105 lbs), female, somewhat vegetarian, relying on fish and eggs for protein, no carbs except for nuts, moderate exercise (bike and power walking), non-smoker. All in all, I thought I had a healthy life-style, so the high chol. count was a shocker. Do I give up eggs, or carry on with my diet? How high a chol. count is too high? Does my low triglyceride count balance the high chol. count?

Any advice will be appreciated.

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