Hi, I'm 20 and my dad died last Monday of a heart attack driving home from work. I'm just slightly concerned about my heart now, and what I can do now and in the future.

Lauren,
I am so sorry that you experienced the loss of your dad. I hope you and your family are providing support to each other, and if you need additional support (now or in the future), you have many options available including support groups and counseling. Let us know how we can help.

Regarding your question on preventing heart disease in your 20s, the Go Red for Women has a site dedicated to this exact question with helpful information: Heart Disease Prevention in Your 20s. You can get a baseline of your current heart health, which includes family history...but also factors you can change (smoking, exercise, drinking in moderation, eating healthy, maintaining healthy weight).

For more information: Go Red for Women: Heart Healthy at Any Age.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions about heart health, losing someone you love, coping with loss or any other information or resources that we can provide.