Hello..... Actually Cholesterol is a part of Lipid Panel that consist of Cholesterol, Trygleceride, Low density lipid (LDL), High density lipid (HDL). Atherosclerosis is a condition that cause deposition of fatty cells along inner wall of artries. This is not a disease but this one of the high risk condition that predisposed to different type of diseases. I mean to say that no one can dies due to atherosclerosis alone but Atherosclerosis is a one the condition of Cardiovascular diseases that can lead to death. So, in your condition, Atherosclerosis, Smoking and Age are the high risk factors that caused some Cardiovascualr disease to your family member that leaded to death of your grand father and father. In your case the good factor is you are non smoker and doing regular exercises and your cholesterol is normal. So in my opinion, kindly go for total Lipid Panel test along with ECG, ECHO, and other basic test for your general check up to find out any high risk or predisposing factor for Cardiovascular disease. Thank You