Having a family history means that a person has one or more
blood relatives with a certain health problem. A doctor can look at a person's
family history to get some idea of the person's risk for that health
problem.
Blood relatives include relatives who are alive and those
who have died. They may be:
- First-degree relatives (parents, sisters,
brothers, and children).
- Second-degree relatives (aunts, uncles,
nieces, nephews, and grandparents).
- Third-degree relatives (first
cousins).
Some family histories are stronger than others. How strong
a family history is depends on:
- How closely related a person is to the
relatives with the health problem.
- How many relatives had or have
the health problem.
Last Updated:
May 29, 2008
Author:
Robin Parks, MS
Medical Review:
Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine & Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology & Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition
