I am 33 male. 3 months back, I was having 242 cholestrol. doc wanted me to go on medication.
I took charge, low fat diet, excerise and moderate swimming for 3 months. yesterday my cholestrol retest was 185, 99 triglycerides, 44 hdl.
DIET, DIET and DIET is the key.

Sounds like you've made some healthy life style changes. With exercise you should see the HDL come up even more. The favorable range for men is HDL above 55. Keep up the good work.