Family History

Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.

Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source

MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.

Your family history includes health information about you and your close relatives. Families have many factors in common, including their genes, environment, and lifestyle. Looking at these factors can help you figure out whether you have a higher risk for certain health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Having a family member with a disease raises your risk, but it does not mean that you will definitely get it. Knowing that you are at risk gives you a chance to reduce that risk by following a healthier lifestyle and getting tested as needed.

You can get started by talking to your relatives about their health. Draw a family tree and add the health information. Having copies of medical records and death certificates is also helpful.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Questions for your care team

General prompts to help prepare for your appointment.

How does this information apply to my situation?
Which symptoms or results need evaluation?
Which tests are useful, and what can they tell us?
What care options, benefits, and risks should we discuss?
When should I seek urgent help, and whom should I call?
When is follow-up, and how will we know whether the plan is working?

For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number.

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