From the moment they are born, Britons might be on the path to a looming health crisis, as a doctor has identified 10 serious diseases and conditions to which we are genetically predisposed. A recent study highlights that nearly half (49%) of UK adults are unaware of their blood type, and 55% lack knowledge about their family history concerning major illnesses like heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.

Alarmingly, one in four individuals is unsure if any family member is on medication, and 49% cannot inform paramedics about the medications their loved ones require during emergencies. Dr. Dawn Harper, a medical expert from Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, has pinpointed 10 potentially deadly diseases and conditions that we might unknowingly be more susceptible to due to genetics.

Dr. Dawn Harper, who evaluated the survey involving 2,000 adults, remarked, “The results underscore a significant gap in the awareness people have regarding their own health history and their family’s medical background.”

“It’s astonishing how frequently fundamental details, like genetic conditions or long-term health trends within families, remain unnoticed or unrecorded,” she added.

“While some might think that genetic predispositions are beyond their control, I strongly advocate that possessing this knowledge empowers individuals.

“By understanding your genetic risks, you gain the opportunity to take charge, make informed choices, engage in preventive practices, and often decrease your overall risk through straightforward lifestyle adjustments.”

MiCode, which commissioned the research, says its service gives users a secure way to store and share essential health data for themselves and loved ones.

It offers a secure digital vault for all your health essentials – from blood type to medication lists – so you’re never caught out in an emergency.

Tom Johnson, founder of MiCode, added: “This survey shows a shocking gap in our national health knowledge.”

The 10 potentially hereditary diseases and conditions you may be at risk of:

1 – High blood pressure:

Dr Harper says: “High blood pressure is what we call a multifactorial disease. Lots of lifestyle factors can influence our blood pressure, but there is also a genetic link and contrary to popular belief, most people with high blood pressure don’t get headaches or visual problems. Most have no symptoms at all. I think everyone over 40 should have their blood pressure checked and if high blood pressure runs in your family, you should be checked earlier.”

2 – High cholesterol:

“Only 20% of our cholesterol comes from our diet. The rest is made in our bodies. There is a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia which, as the name suggests, is an inherited condition which can lead to high cholesterol and if this runs in your family, you should definitely know your cholesterol.”

3 – Heart disease:

“Like blood pressure, there are lots of lifestyle factors that can increase the risk of developing heart disease. It’s important to know if close relatives have had heart attacks, especially if it happened when they were young, because that would potentially mean an increased risk of developing heart disease and may mean an individual could pay closer attention to adapting their lifestyle to mitigate that risk.”

4 – Diabetes:

“There are 4.6 million people in the UK with diabetes and 6.3 million living with pre-diabetes. It is also estimated that there are a further 1.3 million people in the UK with diabetes who have not yet been diagnosed. If diabetes runs in your family and you have not been tested, you could be one of them. Diabetes increases the risk of serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, loss of sight and peripheral vascular disease, so it is vital to get checked.”

5 – Osteoporosis:

“Osteoporosis (thin bone disease) has a strong genetic link. People often tell me they know they are fine because they don’t have any aches and pains, but osteoporosis has no symptoms until the bones are so thin that they break easily. Osteoporosis in the spine can cause the vertebrae to crush under the weight of the body. Having a first degree relative with osteoporosis significantly increases your risk of developing the disease and you may be eligible for a DEXA scan on the NHS.”

6 – Cancer – in particular breast, prostate, colon, ovary, pancreas, skin (melanoma), stomach, uterus, kidney, thyroid, eye and brain:

“All of these cancers have a genetic risk and if they run in your family, you could be referred to a genetic specialist for gene testing. I remember meeting three sisters when I was filming for Embarrassing Bodies. There was a strong family history of breast cancer at a young age, and they had all decided to get genetic testing. Two of the sisters tested positive. One opted to have a bilateral mastectomy and the other decided to watch her weight, cut down on alcohol, do more exercise and stop hormonal contraception (all factors that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer). All three agreed they were glad to have found out, so that they could make informed decisions.2

7 – Alzheimer’s:

“There is a genetic link to developing Alzheimer’s. If you know this runs in your family, you can reduce your risk by altering your lifestyle. Anything that is good for the heart is good for the brain, so maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, taking regular exercise, not smoking and drinking alcohol within recommended limits will help reduce your risk. Challenging your brain with word games, sudoku, or learning a new language will help keep your brain healthy.”

8 – Asthma and allergies:

“There is a strong genetic link with asthma. It is vital that you know about any allergies in your loved ones, and they know any in you, so that that can be communicated in an emergency situation to the medics looking after them or you.”

9 – Mental health issues:

“Mental health problems often have a genetic link and if, for example, depression and anxiety run in your family, it is a good idea to prioritise your own mental health. Take regular exercise, spend time in nature, manage stress and stay connected with friends.”

10 – Auto-immune diseases:

“All auto-immune diseases have a genetic link. If you know someone in your family has an auto-immune disease and you start to develop symptoms, your GP would  get you tested.”