Recording a Health History: The Basics

Health Conditions
List all conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis or high blood pressure. Also list all hospitalizations, including the reason for the hospital stay and information about how things turned out.

Exams, Tests and Screenings
Include dates and results of examinations, tests and screenings, including physicals. Record height, weight and blood pressure. After each entry, jot down when these exams, tests and screenings are needed again. And be sure your loved one is screened for the following conditions:

• Cancer.
• Diabetes.
• Osteoporosis.
• High cholesterol.
• High blood pressure.
• Obesity.
• HIV. 
• Eye and vision problems.
• Hearing problems.
• Dental problems.
  

Shots
List dates of shots for flu, pneumonia, tetanus, tuberculosis, allergy and other ailments.

Family Medical History
Assemble a family medical history as best you can. Include names of family members who have had cancer, heart disease, dementia, mental health problems, diabetes and other conditions. Write down how old family members were when their conditions were diagnosed. If you can’t remember, get the information from relatives. Also list the names of family members who have died, including the date and cause of their death.