PMH Medical Abbreviation: What It Means for Your Care

What Does PMH Stand For?

PMH stands for Past Medical History. It’s a key part of every patient’s health record.

Doctors use this abbreviation to refer to a list of your past illnesses, surgeries, hospital stays, and long-term conditions. It gives them a clearer picture of your overall health.

You may see PMH noted in:

• Clinic visit notes
• Hospital charts
• Electronic medical records
• Referral summaries

What Is Included in PMH?

PMH covers anything from your past that could affect your current health. It doesn’t just list past diagnoses. It also highlights patterns, risks, and chronic conditions.

Examples of what may appear in PMH:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Past surgeries (like appendectomy)
• Asthma or allergies
• Cancer history
• Past infections or injuries
• Chronic pain conditions

Doctors may also note mental health diagnoses or ongoing medical therapies as part of your PMH.

Why Is PMH Important?

PMH helps doctors connect the dots between your current symptoms and your medical background, which makes the diagnosis more accurate.

A detailed PMH can:

• Explain current complaints
• Prevent harmful drug interactions
• Help avoid repeated tests
• Guide diagnosis and treatment
• Show risk factors for serious conditions

PMH in Medical Notes

Doctors often use shorthand to keep notes brief but clear. You may see entries like:

• PMH: HTN, T2DM, GERD
  (Meaning the patient has a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and acid reflux)

If a doctor writes "PMH unremarkable," it means there is nothing notable or concerning in the patient’s medical history.

PMH vs Other Medical Abbreviations

Medical records include several related terms. Here's how PMH compares:

• PSH - Past Surgical History: Details of surgeries the patient has had
• CC - Chief Complaint: A short phrase explaining the main reason for the visit.
• FH - Family History: Illnesses that run in the patient’s family
• SH - Social History: Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, occupation, and living situation
• ROS - Review of Systems: A checklist of symptoms across body systems
• HPI - History of Present Illness: A summary of the current issue, including when symptoms started, how they’ve changed, and what makes them better or worse

Each section offers a different layer of understanding. Together, they give a full view of the patient.

How Patients Can Help

You play a big role in making your PMH accurate. Here are a few tips:

• Keep a list of your conditions and past procedures
• Share any long-term treatments or diagnoses
• Mention family conditions when relevant
• Bring written records or a health summary to visits

This helps your healthcare team work more safely and effectively.