A family medical history is detailed information about the past and present health of your family members. It is important to know your family medical history because it can provide major insight into your risk of developing certain medical conditions, such as heart disease. Learn as much as you can about the medical diagnoses of your biological parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. Your children will also need to know as much as they can about the family medical histories of both parents.

Information that needs to be recorded in a family history includes:

All medical information should be recorded. Even illnesses that do not seem important to the patient may ultimately allow a physician to make a more accurate diagnosis or begin screening for certain conditions as soon as possible. A little documentation can go a long way toward preserving your health, prolonging your life and preventing the development of certain familial illnesses such as young-age heart attack.