Share Some Family Medical History and Pass the Cranberry Sauce

Nov. 23, 2010— -- You'll have your turkey, side of stuffing, dab of cranberry sauce and heap of potatoes. But this Thanksgiving as you chow down during the most eating-centric holiday of the year, try to add a little family medical history to the conversation around the dinner table.

As multiple generations gather in one place, "Thanksgiving is a great time to talk about family history," said Dr. Christie Mitchell Ballantyne, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Baylor College of Medicine and of cardiology at Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center. "It's nice to eat turkey together, but if you can help your family's health, that's really great."

Many common diseases have a genetic component, and those family health histories can help doctors identify patients who are at higher risk for such big players as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and certain cancers. And knowing your family's background can open up windows to other health problems that can run through family lineage.

"There is so much interest in genetic or genomic testing as a way of assessing inherited disease risk," said Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News' chief health and medical editor. "However, the best available test right now is free. It's the family history."

Dr. Philip Ades, director of cardiac rehabilitation and preventive cardiology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, said that he is living proof that family history, once learned, can be overcome.

Ades has an extensive family history of cardiac heart disease. His brother had a heart attack in his 40s, bypass surgery at age 47 and now has nine coronary stents in place. His mother, while she lived until the age of 82, was diagnosed with coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes in her 50s.

"A family history for coronary heart disease is not a death sentence," said Ades. "Rather, it is a 'call to arms.' Most of the things that we inherit that can cause coronary heart disease are treatable."

Ades is now a runner, cyclist and cross-country skier. While he grew up playing sports and staying active, Ades said that, along the way, he learned a lot about the preventive qualities of exercise.

"It is no coincidence that my brother and mother both had type 2 diabetes while in their early 50s, whereas I, at 59, do not yet have it," said Ades. "I may eventually get it, but I am sure that I postponed the onset.

"Nor is it a coincidence that I am not overweight, whereas most of my extended family is," Ades continued.