Is the family member a twin (identical or fraternal)?
Remember, your doctor may not be familiar with your family members. So it’s also very helpful to provide information including each person’s sex, age, ancestry (German, Moroccan, Japanese, etc.) and whether they’re living or deceased. For those who are deceased, include how old they were when they died. Turning Information into Action Even though you cannot change your family history, knowing your family history can help you reduce your risk of developing heart disease. By talking to your doctor about your heart health family history, together you can look for red flags that might indicate the need for a prevention plan, preventive screenings and genetic counseling and potentially, genetic testing. People with a family history of heart disease and related conditions may have the most to gain from screening tests and lifestyle changes. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a doctor trained specifically in genetics or a genetic counselor who can determine your genetic risks.
