The blood cholesterol theory of heart disease is grossly exaggerated. The truth is that “blood cholesterol is only weakly associated with heart disease and between 1945 and 1995 not a single study presented evidence that reducing cholesterol blood levels would lower overall death rate” while several studies showed that certain medications for lowering blood cholesterol levels actually increased overall death rates.
Source: Heart Frauds: Uncovering the Biggest Health Scam in History by Charles T. McGee, M.D. (HealthWise Books, 2001)