My cholesterol was high a year or so ago, and my PCP agreed with me when I said I'd like to TRY to lower it with diet/exercise before getting on more meds. Six months later is was down some, and now it is within normal range. I still have to work on it, but he doesn't think I need to start meds for it.

Everybody's different--I have a friend that eats right, exercises, etc., but can't keep her bp down without meds.