Family History and Risk for Health Problems
Family History and Risk for Health Problems
A family history is the health information about a patient and his or
her close relatives. This information is an important indicator of a patient’s
risk for many health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes,
and cancer. Talking to close family members, looking at death certificates,
and reviewing family medical records are commonly used in developing
a family history. Features of a family history that may increase the
risk for diseases include diseases that occur at an earlier than expected
age, a disease in more than one close relative, a disease that does not
usually affect a certain gender, and certain disease combinations within a
family.
Although it is impossible to change one’s genetic code, there are
steps that can help lower the risk of diseases in spite of strong family
histories. Lifestyle changes including smoking cessation, regular exercise,
and healthy eating are the most important component of counteracting
a family history. Additionally, patients can also participate in early
screening tests, such as mammograms and colorectal screenings, to detect
the presence of diseases identified by a family history.