If you’re planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with relatives, it could be a good time to discuss your family health history.

“Knowing your family history is really important because it can actually help you understand your own health,” said Dr. Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician with Cleveland Clinic. “That in turn will allow you to make better health choices. It will also give more information to your doctor, who can help you determine the best course of action going forward for your health.”

When it comes to family health history, you should collect information from anyone who is related by blood, which includes your parents, grandparents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles and cousins.
She recommends asking them about any known cancers, chronic diseases or conditions, like hypertension, stroke and diabetes.

You should also find out when they developed these medical issues and what medications have been most effective, Dr. Vyas said.