My 72 year old father was placed on a statin last year preventatively because his parents had cardiovasular disease. This was despite him being in perfect health, with low cholesterol and BP. His parents drank and smoked (but both lived into their 80's). By the time my dad told me, he was already suffering from muscle pain, one of the medication's side effects. I advised he tell his doctor he didn't need it and he listened. He is now feeling normal again, working out and watching his diet.