You've had 2 excellent sources of info on heart disease already so I will just add in a couple of brief points:
1) you may have elevated cholesterol but it may not lead to actual disease. You are unlikely to live longer by taking a statin (ask next gp about this mortality benefit). See Malcolm McKendrick's talk above.
The cholesterol - cvd hypothesis is just that (not proven) but has fuelled the prescription of statins to al diabetics.
I turn them down even though my cho is 7+ because my triglycerides/hdl ratio is good (trigs are lower than hdl) thanks to low carb. If I mention this the hcp goes quiet and stops nagging me.
2) Your arteries do get damaged by excess blood glucose and insulin and this isn't disputed so I'd say you are better off tackling that damage by reducing the insulin and glucose levels usually via the low carb diet.
3) I hadn't heard of GERD/asthma connection so forgive my ignorance. Here is a doctor's take on GERD (he is a low carb doctor and has a Southern drawl so be warned!)
I'd avoid omeprazole which works by reducing stomach acid just because you need your stomach acid to properly digest food and yoru GERD seems to be silent