Family History

Family History is a record of health information about a person and his or her close relatives. A complete record includes information from three generations of relatives, including children, brothers and sisters, parents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents, and cousins.

Families have many factors in common, including their genes, environment, and lifestyle. Looking at these factors can help to determine disease risk and possibly provide early warning signs of health problems. Family history can be especially important for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Collecting Family History

Collecting your family history can be done through interviews with family members, looking at death certificates and family medical records, or using a family history tool or software. It's important to update this information throughout your life and share it with your healthcare provider.

Using Family History

Healthcare providers can use family history to identify potential health risks and help patients manage those risks. It can be used to determine which diagnostic tests are needed, develop a personalized prevention plan, and decide treatments for certain conditions.

Limitations of Family History

While family history is a valuable tool, it has limitations. It may not predict future health with certainty, and it doesn't account for all possible health risks. Some people with a disease-causing gene will never get the disease, while others with no family history of a disease may still develop it.

See Also

• Genetic Testing
• Genetic Counseling
• Preventive Healthcare

References

Family History Resources
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