Is heart disease genetic? my mom had a heart attack last year at age 62. she's doing ok, but now i am worried that i am more likely to get heart disease, too.

Historically : Historically what we know about heart disease risk came from data obtained through the framingham heart study (see link below) and it was typically felt that a family history of premature heart disease before the age of 55-60 conferred increased risk. Follow up studies have suggested that any family history in first degree relatives likely increases your risk. This is but one of several risk factors however and your personal factors such as age, gender, smoking history, cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes also play significant, and probably greater roles. You can't change your genetics, age, or gender but you certainly can change the other modifiable risk factors.