Family Medical History

Family Medical History

Family medical history offers insight into conditions that are common among family members. It helps determine the risk of someone having certain diseases like chronic diseases. A family medical history is a record of diseases and medical conditions that affect family members. People inherit half of their genetic profile from every parent. People inherit genes that can cause various medical conditions. Also, the genes increase the risk of having certain medical conditions. A family medical history reveals the history of diseases in a family and allows one to identify patterns that may be applicable to his health. In addition, the information as doctors use the family history to assess the risk of various diseases. They also use the information to recommend treatment, diet and lifestyle changes to lower the risk of having the conditions identified.

They also use the information to determine the suitable diagnostic tests, kind and regularity of screening texts. Additionally, they use the information to determine the risk of transmitting the diseases to children and identify conditions that might not be considered. The family medical history does not predict a person’s health in the future. It only provides information about disease risks. The family healthy portrait tool enables individuals to know their family history and prevent diseases (HHS, 2012). The family healthy portrait diagram shows diseases that are common in my family. My family members suffer from a wide range of medical conditions as shown by the family healthy portrait diagram.

Some of the diseases common among the family members include high cholesterol, hypertension and heart diseases especially coronary artery disease. Some of the family members from my mother’s side and father’s side have suffered from the diseases. My paternal grandmother (Sharon) suffered from hypertension at old age. Also, my paternal uncle (Tom) was diagnosed with high cholesterol when he was 40-49 years. In addition, my paternal aunt (Ann) had coronary artery disease at the age of 40-49 years. Moreover, my maternal grandfather (Robert) and maternal aunt (Elizabeth) suffered from coronary artery disease and hypertension. Elizabeth was diagnosed with hypertension at the age of 30-39 years. Robert was diagnosed with coronary artery disease at old age. I have a risk for suffering from various medical conditions according to the family healthy portrait diagram. First, I have a high risk of suffering from coronary artery disease as it is common in the family. Most of the family members including my maternal grandfather suffered from coronary artery disease.

My maternal aunt and paternal aunt suffered from coronary artery disease. The chances of my parents passing genes related to coronary artery disease to the children is high as the rate of the condition among the family members is high. Thus, the chances of getting coronary artery disease at the age of 30 and more are high as my maternal aunt and paternal aunt were diagnose with coronary artery disease at the age of 30-39 and 40-49 respectively. Also, I can get coronary artery disease at old age as my maternal grandfather had coronary artery disease at old age (HHS, 2012). Second, I have a risk of suffering from hypertension as my paternal grandmother sufferers from hypertension. Chances of getting hypertension at old age are high. Third, I have a risk of suffering from high cholesterol as my paternal uncle (Tom) had high cholesterol at the age of 40-49 years. Thus, I should get tested and screened for the diseases regularly to reduce the risk of having them. Also, I should modify my lifestyle and exercise often to reduce the chances of having the conditions. Also, I should and eat healthy foods to reduce the chances of having the conditions(HHS, 2012).

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