Organize Your Family Health History

| Organization |

Have you ever been filling out forms at a doctor’s office that asked about your family health history and not been sure if your memory was serving you correctly or even realizing that you didn’t have any knowledge about your family health history? I know I’ve been there, asking myself questions like was it high cholesterol or high blood pressure he had. This week for the element of organization, I’ve created a printable family health history template to fill out at your leisure, with time to make calls and ask questions. Then you can file it safely away to have on hand to bring to your doctors’ appointments.

If you were adopted or your relatives are deceased, it might be difficult to gather this information, but try to get all you can. Your family health history can guide your doctors for early warning signs to watch for and to personalize your tests and screenings. At the same time, know genetics do not equal destiny. Please don’t feel like you are doomed to suffer the same ailments as your relatives. Lifestyle choices have a huge impact on how genetics play out. If you see conditions that worry you, talk to your doctor and research healthy choices you can make in your life to avoid them. Your family history is a powerful tool for both you and your doctor. Use the information to personalize your healthcare and lifestyle choices.

Here’s the template. If you have children, you may even want to create a family health history for them to have on hand too.