Total cholesterol 283, hdl 86, ldl 160, triglycerides 198. I am female, healthy weight 135 pounds, age 68. Could I avoid starting medication by exercising daily...I haven t been too active. Have brought cholesterol down in past years by 20 points. I am watching diet, little dairy and meats. Cholesterol has hovered around 250 for years but had this lab done right after thanksgiving holidays. Cholesterol shot up and ldl up 30 but triglycerides down a little. My risk seems to be 3.3 calc