February is American Heart Month and the occasion is hitting home for one Bridgeport family.

Joselyn Velez-Carrion, 43, died Monday from heart disease.

Velez-Carrion's son, 23-year-old Josue Lopez, is sharing his story of grief and heartbreak to build awareness about heart disease, in an effort to spare other families from going through the pain his family is going through.

Lopez says his mom was not overweight and did not smoke, but still died as a result of heart disease.

"It's always good to go and get checked," said Lopez. "Keep your family with that information…because what I'm feeling inside, I wish my mom would have come forward and told me her problems."

The family has set up a fund to help with funeral expenses.