Family medical history is information about health conditions that your blood relatives (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.) have had or currently have.

This information helps your healthcare team understand what health conditions you might be at risk for and provide better, more personalized care.


You can add and update your family history yourself. Your healthcare team can also help you fill this out during your visits.

 

Why This Information Matters

Many health conditions can run in families. When your healthcare team knows your family history, they can:

  • Recommend earlier or more frequent screenings (like mammograms or colonoscopies)
  • Suggest lifestyle changes to prevent certain diseases
  • Choose the best medications for you
  • Refer you to specialists when needed
  • Provide genetic counseling if appropriate

 

Which Family Members to Include

Focus on your blood relatives (people you share genes with):

  • Parents: Mother and father
  • Siblings: Brothers and sisters (including half-siblings)
  • Children: Your sons and daughters
  • Grandparents: Both your mother's and father's parents
  • Aunts and Uncles: Your parents' brothers and sisters
  • Cousins: When they have significant health conditions

Note: Step-relatives, adopted family members, and in-laws are important to you but aren't usually included in genetic family history since you don't share genes with them.


How to Add Family History

Step 1: Click "Add Family Member" to start a new record

Step 2: Fill out basic information:

  • Name (optional - you can just put "Mother" or "Father")
  • Relationship to you (required - like "Mother", "Brother", etc.)
  • Gender
  • Age or birth year (if you know it)
  • Whether they're still living

Step 3: Add their health conditions in the "Health Conditions" tab

Step 4: Add any notes in the "Notes" tab if needed

 

Adding Health Conditions

In the "Health Conditions" tab, you can add multiple health problems for each family member:

  • Search for conditions: Start typing the condition name (like "diabetes" or "heart disease")
  • Add age of onset: How old they were when diagnosed (if you know)
  • Outcome: What happened (recovered, ongoing, fatal, etc.)
  • Add notes: Any extra details about the condition

Tip: You can add multiple conditions for the same family member. Click "Add Condition" for each new health problem.

 

Important Health Conditions to Include

Focus on these types of conditions that often run in families:

  • Heart disease: Heart attacks, heart failure, high blood pressure
  • Cancer: All types, especially breast, colon, lung, prostate
  • Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2
  • Mental health: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder
  • Stroke: Any type of stroke
  • Kidney disease
  • Genetic conditions: Sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, etc.
  • Substance abuse: Alcohol or drug problems

 

Tips for Gathering Information

  • Talk to family members: Ask relatives about health conditions - they might know details you don't
  • Check family documents: Look at medical records, death certificates, or obituaries
  • Start with what you know: Record information you're certain about first
  • It's okay not to know everything: You can mark status as "Unknown" if you're not sure
  • Update regularly: Add new information as you learn it or as family members develop new conditions
  • Ask your healthcare team for help: They can help you fill this out during your visits


When You Don't Know Family History

If you don't know your family medical history (due to adoption, family separation, etc.), that's important information too:

  • You can still create family member records and mark the status as "Unknown"
  • In the "Reason" tab, you can note why the history is unknown
  • Your healthcare team will know how to focus more on your personal health screenings
  • Consider genetic counseling if you have concerns about inherited conditions

Remember: Not knowing your family history doesn't mean you can't receive excellent healthcare. Your healthcare team will work with the information available.