I had a decent diet and did 4500mi the year before I had a heart attack and my cholesterol was around 165. My HDL was very low in spite of all my exercise. If genetics are against you, no manner of exercise may help. I am now a no-oil vegan and my cholesterol has dropped to 105 and when my stent was put in my doc noticed my other bad artery was significantly better than it was previously. I would suggest a big change in diet and if possible, upping your exercise but if it doesn't have a major affect in 6mo I'd certainly follow your docs advice on drug therapy. Truthfully, if I were you, I'd get on statins now and add better diet and exercise and then see if I could get off them at some point.