This post is for general informational and educational purposes only. Please refer to the Disclaimer. It is recommended that you seek advice from your medical practitioner if you require specific medical advice.
Knowing Your Medical History is Essential
Your family’s medical history can reveal a pattern of certain diseases which may indicate whether there is a familial risk for developing a medical condition. Common diseases that can crop up in families are:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease – heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes
- Kidney disorders
- Diabetes and other endocrine diseases
- Asthma
- Genetic disorders such as haemophilia and Down syndrome
- Some types of mental illness
- Osteoporosis
- Huntingtons disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Albinism
Some diseases are caused by mutations in a gene, while others are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as diet, exposure to toxins, skin damage by exposure to UV light, and substance abuse. Further information is available from Health Direct at this link.
My Own Family Medical History
A few weeks ago I was interviewed by Sue Loncaric for her series Women Living Well Over 50. One of the subjects we discussed was the importance of knowing your family and personal medical history. I shared my own family history of cancer, and how it lead me to have genetic testing to diagnose me with BRCA2 gene mutation which puts me in a high risk for certain cancers.
My family also has a high risk of cardiovascular disease and I have a congenital heart defect which was inherited from my father. Knowing my risk meant that I could have increased surveillance and appropriate treatment at an earlier stage, before I developed cancer or cardiac issues.
Knowing your family history can guide your doctor to investigate and treat you for medical conditions in their early stages or even prevent them before they occur. For example, because I have BRCA2 I had my ovaries and breasts removed before I developed cancer. I also started on cholesterol reducing medications before I developed plaque which could have lead to blocked arteries (arteriosclerosis).
We have a high risk for melanoma so I have taken my sons for yearly skin checks since they were young. My son developed a melanoma at 24, but it was diagnosed at stage 1 and he is now cured. This is due to the regular check-ups and knowing our family history. We both now have 6 monthly skin checks.
Knowing your family health history is important because it could highlight hereditary medical conditions or risk of disease. It can guide doctors to investigate symptoms further and even guide them towards choosing one form of treatment over another. Drawing up a family tree may help to pinpoint certain diseases in the family. Using my own family as an example, your family tree may look like this:
Keeping track of your personal health history is also important. I write everything down and update my records to keep a track of medications, allergies, illnesses and operations, vaccinations and the contact details of the medical practitioners who treat me.
The file is updated regularly and I carry a copy in my handbag in the event of a medical emergency.
Personal and Family Medical History
I have developed a useful printable personal and family medical history form that you may use. Print a separate copy for each member of the family and keep it somewhere safe. There is a printable version at the end of the post:
PERSONAL AND FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY
Personal Medical Information
Name
Date of Birth
Place Born
Address
Next of Kin
Name
Contact No. Or Address
Medicare No.
Medical Insurance Policy:
Provider: Card/Policy No.
Concessions
Social Security/DVA No.
Allergies
| Medication | Reaction | Severity |
Vaccinations
| Vaccination | Date | Vaccination | Date |
Medical Conditions
| Medical Condition | Date Diagnosed |
Surgical Procedures
| Date | Procedure | Doctor | Hospital |
Medications
| Medication | Dose | Frequency | Purpose |
Major Illnesses
| Illness | Date | Doctor |
General Practitioner
Name
Address
Phone
Medical Specialist
Name
Address
Phone
Surgical Specialist
Name
Address
Phone
Medical Specialist
Name
Address
Phone
Surgical Specialist
Name
Address
Phone
Additional Notes
Family Medical History
Father
Medical conditions
If deceased – Age & Cause
Mother
Medical conditions
If deceased – Age & cause
Children
Medical conditions
If deceased – Age & Cause
Brothers/Sisters
Medical Conditions
If deceased – Age & Cause
Grandparents
Paternal Grandfather – Medical Conditions
If deceased – Age & Cause
Paternal Grandmother – Medical Conditions
If deceased – Age & Cause
Maternal Grandfather – Medical Conditions
If deceased – Age & Cause
Maternal Grandmother – Medical Conditions
If deceased – Age & Cause
Aunts/Uncles
Significant Medical Conditions
If deceased – Age & Cause
Write significant hereditary medical conditions on this family tree
To Print Your Personal and Family Health History Form:
Click “Download” to access your free printable form:
Please let me know if you find this document useful, and feel free to suggest any additional information that should be included.
MidlifeStylist 
12 responses to “Know Your Family and Personal Medical History”
The form is a great idea
LikeLike
Thankyou Katey. I’m glad you like it
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a fabulous resource Christine. Two of my grandparents were heavy smokers and died of lung cancer (paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother – at 94), my maternal grandfather passed from complications of a routine operation and my paternal grandmother died of old age (at 98). My mother (78) is as healthy and fit as a horse, but my father (82) has had prostate cancer, non TB lung disease and asthma. Number 6 in 8 kids he lost his eldest brother at 92, but all others are living. All of Mum’s siblings are still living. My husband, however, was adopted and we know nothing at all of his family history. You have definitely got me thinking. #MLSTL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jo, somehow I think you will have a long life! It must be difficult for your husband at times, not knowing his family history. I had my DNA tested through Ancestry.com and found a new first cousin who was adopted. That’s one way your husband could find family if he ever wanted to know. Regards Christina
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we’ve done the DNA testing, but the closest matches we got were 3rd/4th cousins. We’ve also now got a birth certificate so the next step is to see if we can getthe records unlocked (Scotland).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow! Good luck with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Christine – I take my family’s medical history for granted and keep forgetting about the diseases etc that took some of them early. My father died in his early 70’s but that was largely from poor lifestyle choices, however you’ve reminded me of the heart issues in my mother’s side of the family that I need to keep in mind as I get older. I’m grateful that overall we’re a pretty healthy bunch.
#MLSTL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Leanne, I unfortunately inherited some dodgy genes from my dad, so I envy you having a healthy family. Luckily all the creativity we inherited came from my parents so you take the good with the bad. Some people prefer to put their head in the sand with health issues but I think it’s better to keep family history in mind and get on to it quickly if anything worries you. Thank you for commenting, regards Christina
LikeLike
Hi Christina, this is a wonderful resource and your reasons behind it are really informative. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas with us. We are looking at issues with my grandson and family backgrounds are proving required information. Very timely to read your post #mlstl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Debbie, I’m so glad you found it useful. I really hope it helps with your grandson. Thank you so much for your feedback, regards Christina
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so important! I come from a family that does not talk about family illnesses and It too a long time to draw the information out! It also helped remove some of the shame I was feeling when I realized that some of my medical conditions were not my fault, but actually due to family history.
LikeLike
Hi Helen, yes I agree. The time for sweeping things under a rug is long gone. I still have family who choose to put their head in the sand where it comes to their health and I definitely disagree with that approach. It’s better to avoid illnesses or treat them in the early stages. Thank you so much for commenting, regards Christina
LikeLike