Health Tip: Know Your Family's Medical History

-- Having full knowledge of your family health history is empowering and can be an effective way to stay healthier.

Your doctor may review your family health history in deciding whether you and other family members need certain screening tests, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

The CDC suggests how to keep a family health history:

• Talk to family members to get details about each person's medical past. Be sure to include information about chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
• Determine if there is a family history of cancer or stroke.
• Be aware of your family's ancestry.
• Share your history with your doctor and other family members.

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Posted: February 2019