My cholesterol is 172, with an hdl of 53. my doctor has me on 40mg lipitor (atorvastatin) and i don't like this due to the side-effect risk. what say you?

Incomplete info: You doctor obviously has more information about your risk factors than you have stated. It would be prudent to follow your doctor's advice.

Take it: Heart disease is one of the top killers of man and women. What were your numbers before you started lipitor (atorvastatin)? What was your LDL and what was your cardiac c reactive protein? Have you had a heart attack in the past? Depending on all this, you may need a milder med. Any long term effects stop when you stop the med, do not stop without letting your dr know.