Monday, November 17, 2008

Family Health History

Family history isn’t just for “turning hearts.” It may also be about heart disease… high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, too! Knowing your family health history can help you better protect your own health. What kinds of things do you need to know? How can that help you be healthier?

The US Surgeon General’s Office has a web site to help you collect and print important family health history information in a way that health care professionals can use. Studies have shown that knowing your family health history and sharing it with your doctor in this way can help you receive more appropriate treatment than you would otherwise receive.

To create your own family health history pedigree, go to http://familyhistory.hhs.gov
(Check out your personal Body Mass Index while you’re there!)

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