Family Health History: A Key to Prevention
Have you ever wondered why certain health conditions seem to run in families? Take advantage of holiday gatherings with family to learn the medical conditions that have affected your lineage. Hear how understanding your relatives' medical background can be a powerful tool for improving your own health, in this WFMY 2 Your Well-Being conversation with Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, with Cone Health Precision Health.
What Information to Gather
When delving into your family's health history, it's essential to consider the following:
- Three-Generation Pedigree: Focus on your siblings, parents and grandparents.
- Age of Onset: The earlier a condition occurs, the more significant it may be.
- Specific Conditions: Pinpoint conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and chronic kidney disease.
- Rare Conditions: Unusual or rare conditions can indicate a genetic predisposition.
Leveraging Your Family Health History
Once you've gathered this information, share it with your healthcare provider and take proactive steps to improve your health:
- Genetic Testing: Learn more about genetic testing to identify specific genetic markers that may increase your risk for certain conditions.
- Explore participation in our community health research program, called GeneConnect, that helps you understand your genetic risk for certain cancers and a cause of heart disease, as well as your regional ancestry and genetic traits related to your health. Visit conehealth.com/geneconnect to learn more.
- Early Screening: Early screening can detect potential health issues before they become serious.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Adopting healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management can help mitigate genetic risks.
How to Start the Conversation
Talking about health can be a sensitive topic, but it's essential for your well-being. Here are some tips to initiate the conversation:
- Be Gentle: Approach the topic with empathy and understanding.
- Respect Privacy: If someone is uncomfortable sharing, don't push them.
