Changing your diet and lifestyle alone can cut your risk of heart disease by as much as a statin does.

Taking statins helps prevent heart problems and lowers the chance of dying for people who've already had a heart issue, according to big, reliable studies.

Taking statins to lower your 'bad' cholesterol by about 1 point (in mmol/L) can cut your chances of having a heart attack by nearly 40%, even if you're not at high risk for heart disease yet.

Taking statins to lower your 'bad' cholesterol by a small amount can cut your chance of having a heart attack by nearly half—even if you're not at high risk for heart disease yet.

Even if you're not at high risk for a heart attack or stroke, taking statins can still cut your chances of serious heart or blood vessel problems by about the same amount as it does for people at high risk.

Taking statins can lower your bad cholesterol enough to cut your chance of needing heart surgery or stents by almost half—even if you're not at high risk for heart disease right now.