Of those millions, there is extremely strong evidence demonstrating significant reduction in heart attacks and death (mostly in the secondary prevention crowd) with the 'old' cholesterol medications and pretty compelling evidence with the newer agents. No other drug class in any field has shown such a reduction in events in both the primary and secondary prevention crowd.

Also these older cholesterol medications (statins) have pleotropic effects (anti-inflammatory, ect) and have been shown to reduce recurrent heart attacks even w/ patients with "normal" cholesterol levels.

Is cholesterol the only thing that causes heart disease?? No. Does sugar, inflammatory, autoimmune, drugs, ect also contribute?? yes. But elevated cholesterol levels are clearly a risk factor and play some role in the development of atherosclerosis for some people. These medications clearly have an overall benefit for some.