Question: I have low HDL (35-39). For 30+ years I have been doing the lifestyle things, diet, exercise, moderation of alcohol, no smoking. My last two blood tests, showed: LDL 95 and 128, HDL 36 and 37, Total 151 and 180. The first test was in May 2016 and the 2nd was Nov 2016. Prior to the May test I had been taking Zocor 10 mg twice a week for 6 months. I was trying to reduce or wean off statins because of the current opinions (by some) that they accelerated the aging process. I felt that described my condition exactly. I will be 69 in January 2017. Prior to my middle 60s I had never felt my age, but began to for no apparent reason, except I believe the years of daily statins. I have tried numerous statins over the past 15 + years to try to lower my "heart attack ratio", without sucesss. The lowest it has ever been (having blood tests every 6 months) was 2.9 (126/44) in Oct 2014. I had started taking Niacin (between 2000 and 500 mg per day beginning Apr 2013. The Niacin dosage was took 2000-1000 mg per day from Apr 2013 until Oct 2013 without seeing much change. I decreased to 1000-500 mg per day between Oct 2013 and then in Oct 2014 I had the above "wonderful" ratio of 2.9. The HDL reading of 44 is also my all time high for that number. The Naicin is the untreated type which gives a flush. My new presciption is for 40 mg of Pravachol (genneric). I am going to try it 2 or 3 times per week at first. I also want to know what the available dosage ranges are. 40 mg seems high compared to 10 mg of zocor. Is Pravachol any better at RAISING HDL than Zocor, Lipitor, Zetia, Tri-cor? Should I resume 1000 mg of Niacin? Please advise.