What Health Problems Lurk in Your Family Tree?

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Don’t be shy about asking relatives to divulge their health history. The information may be crucial. “Given how important family history is, it’s disturbing to know people don’t take time to collect the information,” Michos says. “It’s not just important for heart disease. It’s also important for certain cancers and other ailments.”
           
It’s possible your relatives have conditions you don’t know about. “Often family members try to protect their family and don’t even tell loved ones if they’ve had a heart attack,” Michos says.
           
If your relatives don’t know their blood pressure or cholesterol levels, suggest that they get tested. “There are a lot of people walking around who have high cholesterol and blood pressure, and if they have a family history on top of it, they’re at much higher risk,” Michos says. “It’s important to know so appropriate preventive action can be taken. It’s a good reminder for your loved ones.”
           
If a family member is deceased, contact another relative who might have insight about that person’s health history. Those who have been adopted have a greater challenge. Gleaning information may be possible through the adoption agency. “In certain circumstances, adopted people can have access to medical records,” Michos says.
           
If you have no living parents or grandparents, you can access death records through the National Center for Health Statistics. The site’s Top 10 Links include a link to help obtain death certificates.