Does high cholesterol cause heart disease?

(NewsNation) — One person dies every 33 seconds from heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One of the leading risk factors for heart disease is high cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a type of fat with necessary functions, but too much in the blood is harmful. High cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup called atherosclerosis, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

This can later lead to different types of heart disease: Coronary artery disease, which blocks blood flow to the heart; peripheral artery disease, which blocks blood flow to the legs and arms, and carotid artery disease, which blocks blood flow to the brain.

"Cholesterol travels through your blood silently. And it turns into plaque silently. Plaque buildup is like someone tiptoeing on a carpet. You might not see or notice its presence for a long time. You may have no symptoms until you have a heart attack or stroke," the Cleveland Clinic said. "At that point, the plaque is like high heels on a hardwood floor. And it’s already caused serious damage to your body."

Cholesterol levels should be checked regularly and can be managed by working with your health care provider.

Other risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and excessive alcohol use.