what are the causes of cholesterol?

Hello firiends,

As my little knowledge that every diseass must have a cause or a reason or a certain factor, as I hear that cholesterol is a high level of fat in the blood, and this cause blood pressure and could effect to make more health problems,
my question: is the cholesterol a self-acquired disease or a genetic disease, in case of the father or the mother has it, there is a chance to happend to the child? or any other causes? or eating habits that effect it? and how to keep the cholesterol under control?
any additional information will be high appreciated,
regards