“The age-standardized share of American adults with unhealthy cholesterol levels has declined over the past 25 years…

One important reason for the decline in cholesterol is the use of statins. Statins are prescribed to effectively reduce levels of LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol. These reduce the formation of cholesterol-filled plaques in the arteries and, thereby, the rates of heart attacks and strokes…

Along with other medications, surgeries, and public health efforts, they’ve helped turn cardiovascular diseases into more manageable conditions. In the US, the age-standardized death rate from cardiovascular diseases has declined for decades and is almost four times lower today than in 1950.”

From Our World in Data.