Key points

Knowing your family health history is crucial because genetics play a role in our risk for disease.

Genetics are only part of the story of your health risk. Healthy lifestyle can significantly lower your risk.

People who are aware of their risk for disease are more motivated to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Sharing your family health history with your doctor will improve your health care.

I don't remember my grandfather; he died in his 50s of a heart attack. I was a baby at the time. I didn’t know my grandmother for long either. I was 9 when she died at age 62 of a stroke. I was sad to have lost my grandparents so young.

Then, when I was 19, my uncle died of a heart attack at 44 years old. The premature deaths on one side of my family, all due to cardiovascular di

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