HX Means “History” in Medical Notes — Here’s How to Read It
Quick answer: Hx, HX or hx commonly means history in medical documentation. A phrase such as “Hx of asthma” means “history of asthma,” while forms such as PMHx, FHx and SHx narrow the history to past medical, family or social history.
The abbreviation usually labels background information in a chart rather than a diagnosis, treatment or medication instruction. The words around Hx tell you which part of a person’s history is being described.
Context matters: healthcare organizations standardize abbreviations differently. The Joint Commission does not publish a universal list of approved abbreviations and notes that abbreviations can have different meanings depending on context. Read the whole phrase rather than treating Hx as a stand-alone clinical conclusion.
What does Hx mean in medical terms?
Hx is a medical abbreviation for “history.” In a chart, note, referral or report, it signals that the clinician is documenting information about a patient’s health background. The National Library of Medicine’s Common Data Elements repository uses the short name “Hx general Reported” for the LOINC concept “History general Narrative – Reported.”
Medical history is broader than a list of old diagnoses. Depending on the note, it can include current concerns, past illnesses, surgery or procedure history, family history, social history, medications and other information that helps a clinician understand the patient’s situation.
Usually means
History or a specified type of history, such as past medical history or family history.
Usually appears in
Clinical notes, intake forms, history-and-physical documentation, referrals, discharge summaries and some imaging or procedure documentation.
Read the modifier
Words before or after Hx matter: “family Hx,” “surgical Hx,” “Hx of asthma” and “no Hx of…” do not mean the same thing.
Hx, PMHx, FHx, SHx and other history abbreviations
Clinicians often add letters to show which part of the history they mean. Exact conventions vary by organization, but these forms are widely encountered in clinical documentation.
| Abbreviation | Common meaning | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Hx | History | General history or “history of” a condition when followed by a diagnosis. |
| PMH / PMHx | Past medical history | Previous illnesses, diagnoses and relevant past health information. |
| PSH / PSHx | Past surgical history | Previous operations or surgical procedures. |
| FH / FHx | Family history | Health conditions or events in biologic relatives that may be clinically relevant. |
| SH / SHx | Social history | Information such as tobacco or alcohol use, occupation, living situation, supports and other social factors relevant to care. |
| HPI | History of present illness | The story and development of the current problem or complaint. |
Useful distinction: Hx is the broad shorthand. HPI is specifically about the current illness or complaint, while PMH/PMHx refers to previous health problems and treatments not necessarily part of the current complaint.
How to translate Hx phrases in a medical record
The examples below are illustrative chart-reading examples, not personal medical advice. The safest translation is usually obtained by expanding Hx to “history” and then reading the rest of the phrase literally.
| Example note | Plain-English reading | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Hx of asthma | History of asthma | The record is noting that asthma has been part of the person’s medical background. |
| No Hx of seizures | No history of seizures | The note records that a seizure history was not reported or documented in that context. |
| Family Hx: diabetes | Family history of diabetes | Diabetes is being recorded in the family-history section rather than necessarily as the patient’s own diagnosis. |
| PMHx: HTN | Past medical history: hypertension | Hypertension is listed in the patient’s past medical history. |
| PSHx: appendectomy | Past surgical history: appendectomy | The chart records a previous appendectomy. |
| HPI: cough x 3 days | History of present illness: cough for three days | The note is describing the current complaint, not the person’s entire medical history. |
Negation matters. “Hx of,” “denies Hx of,” and “no Hx of” have opposite implications. Read the complete clause before assuming the record says a person has a condition.
What information may be included under medical history?
NLM/LOINC describes general history as potentially including the chief complaint, past medical history, social history, family history, surgical or procedure history, medication history and other history information. NCBI clinical references also describe allergies, drug sensitivities and current medications as important parts of a structured medical history.
Personal health
- Past illnesses and diagnoses
- Hospitalizations
- Operations and procedures
- Allergies and drug sensitivities
Current context
- Presenting complaint
- History of present illness
- Current medicines
- Relevant test or treatment history
Family and social context
- Family health history
- Tobacco or alcohol use
- Occupation and daily activities
- Living situation and supports where clinically relevant
Not every note contains every category. A clinician may take a focused history for one problem or a broader history for an initial assessment, hospital admission or comprehensive visit.
Where are you most likely to see Hx?
Clinical notes and intake forms
Hx commonly appears in history-and-physical notes, clinician assessments, nursing intake documentation, referral notes and other records where background information is summarized.
Reports and summaries
History sections may also appear in procedure notes, discharge summaries and diagnostic-imaging documentation. LOINC includes general-history content in standardized document and report structures.
It is less useful to treat Hx as a “prescription abbreviation.” Hx describes history; medication instructions use a different set of dose, route and frequency conventions. If Hx appears near medication information, it is more likely describing medication history or background than telling you how to take a drug.
Is Hx a universal medical abbreviation?
Hx is widely used for “history,” and LOINC uses “Hx” in the short name for its general-history concept. However, there is no single universal list of approved medical abbreviations for every hospital, clinic and health system.
The Joint Commission says healthcare organizations are expected to standardize terminology, abbreviations, acronyms and symbols because the same shorthand can have different meanings in different contexts. That is why the surrounding words, section heading and type of document matter.
Practical rule: when Hx appears in a record, first expand it to “history.” Then identify which history the note is describing. If the wording conflicts with what you know about your record, ask the clinician or health-information department to clarify the entry rather than guessing.
What does LOINC 11329-0 have to do with Hx?
LOINC 11329-0 is an active standardized code named “History general Narrative – Reported.” Its short name is “Hx general Reported.” NLM’s Common Data Elements repository lists the same LOINC identifier and short designation.
This does not mean that the two letters “Hx” are themselves a universal billing or diagnosis code. Rather, LOINC 11329-0 is a standardized identifier for a general medical-history narrative. A local chart can use Hx as shorthand without that specific LOINC code being attached to the record.
How to interpret Hx safely in your own chart
Read the entire phrase
Do not stop at Hx. “Hx of diabetes,” “family Hx,” “no Hx of surgery” and “PMHx” point to different information.
Identify the section
Check whether the abbreviation appears under past medical history, family history, social history, surgical history, HPI or another heading.
Watch for negation
Words such as “no,” “denies,” “negative,” “without” or “unknown” can change the meaning of the entire phrase.
Separate history from current diagnosis
A condition listed as part of a history may describe a past or previously documented problem. It does not by itself tell you whether the condition is currently active.
Ask for clarification if the record seems wrong
If an Hx entry is unclear or appears inconsistent with your health history, ask the clinician or the organization that maintains the record what the entry means in that specific document.
Hx medical abbreviation FAQs
What does Hx stand for in medical terms?
Hx stands for history. It usually signals background information in a medical record, such as a history of a condition or a specific category of history.
What does “Hx of” mean?
“Hx of” means history of. For example, “Hx of asthma” reads as “history of asthma.” The phrase does not by itself tell you whether the condition is currently active.
What does “no Hx of” mean?
“No Hx of” means that no history of the named condition or event is being documented in that context. Read the full note because the statement may be based on patient report, available records or the scope of that visit.
What is the difference between Hx and HPI?
Hx is the general abbreviation for history. HPI means history of present illness and focuses on the current problem—how it started, developed and relates to the present visit.
What is the difference between Hx and PMH or PMHx?
Hx is broad shorthand for history. PMH or PMHx means past medical history, a specific part of the history covering previous illnesses, diagnoses and relevant past health information.
Is Hx an official universal abbreviation?
Hx is widely used for history, and LOINC uses “Hx” in the short name of a general-history concept. However, healthcare organizations may standardize abbreviations differently, so context and local documentation rules still matter.
Is Hx a diagnosis code?
No. Hx is shorthand for history. LOINC 11329-0 is a standardized code for “History general Narrative – Reported,” but that does not make Hx itself a diagnosis code.
Can I use an online definition to interpret my whole medical record?
No. A definition can explain the abbreviation, but the meaning of a specific chart entry depends on the complete sentence, section, document and clinical context. Ask the healthcare professional or record holder when an entry is unclear.
Authoritative sources used for this Hx definition
Review note: This page was fact-checked against the sources above on October 6, 2026. It is an educational terminology reference, not a substitute for interpretation of an individual medical record by the healthcare professional or organization responsible for that record.