Cholesterol results

I recently got back the results of my lipid profile....In the last year and a half, I have lost 30 pounds, changed my diet, rarely eat red meat, and exercise, so I was upset when my total cholesterol came back at 230. My LDL was 166, but that is down ten points from a year ago. My HDL and triglycerides were good though...HDL was 45 and triglycerides were 93. I am 52, I don't drink alcohol or smoke, and I have high blood pressure, which has been sucessfully controlled for many years. My dr. is saying I need to be put on a statin because of the LDL and I DO NOT want to take a statin drug. Given that my HDL and triglycerides were good, and my LDL is coming down, I don't think it is necessary to take drugs with serious and even dangerous side effects. I would like some opinions. Thanks. :)