The PMHX medical abbreviation stands for past medical history, which is the section of a note listing a person's earlier and ongoing health conditions. It is often written PMHx, with the Hx being the common shorthand for history.
You will see it near the top of admission notes, consult notes and the full H&P, right after the story of the current problem. It means the same thing as PMH. Below you will find what usually goes in this section, a sample line decoded, how it differs from neighboring sections, and why it matters for safe care.
At a glance
Stands for
Past medical historyWritten as
PMHx, PMHX, PMHWhere you see it
Admission notes, H&P, consults, intake formsPart of
The medical history, after HPINeighbors
PSHx (surgical), FHx (family), SHx (social)Hx means
History, the X is shorthand only
What the PMHX medical abbreviation includes
The past medical history lists conditions a person either had in the past or lives with today, for example high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, past infections like hepatitis, and mental health conditions. Chronic illnesses that are still being treated belong here as well as illnesses from years ago.
Surgeries often get their own heading, the past surgical history, though some writers fold them into PMHx with s/p before the operation. Hospital stays, major injuries and pregnancies may also appear, depending on the setting and the writer's habits.
A sample PMHx line decoded
| Shorthand | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| HTN | High blood pressure |
| DM2 | Type 2 diabetes |
| HLD | High cholesterol or other blood fat problems |
| s/p appendectomy | Has had the appendix removed |
Admission note: "PMHx significant for CHF, COPD on home O2, and CKD stage 3." Read aloud, the patient has heart failure, a chronic lung disease needing oxygen at home, and moderate kidney disease. Each item shapes how the team plans tests and medicines.
How PMHx fits with the rest of the history
A full medical history follows a set order, and each part has its own shorthand.
| Section | Shorthand | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Chief complaint | CC | Why the person came in today |
| History of present illness | HPI | What is happening now and how it began |
| Past medical history | PMHx | Earlier and ongoing conditions |
| Past surgical history | PSHx | Operations and procedures |
| Family history | FHx | Conditions in blood relatives |
| Social history | SHx | Smoking, alcohol, work, living situation |
| Review of systems | ROS | Symptom checklist by body system |
The HPI is about now, while PMHx is about the background. Keeping them separate makes the note easier to scan.
Why an accurate past history matters
A complete PMHx helps clinicians choose safe tests and medicines. Kidney disease can change how drugs are dosed, a history of bleeding can affect plans for surgery, and some conditions raise the chance of certain complications. Missing details can lead to repeated tests or avoidable risks.
Patients can help by keeping a short written list of their diagnoses, surgeries and current medicines, and bringing it to visits. If a portal note lists a condition you never had, or misses one you do have, tell the clinic so they can update it.
Variants and how to write them
PMHx, PMH and past hx all mean the same thing. Some templates write "Past Medical History" in full as a heading and then list conditions without abbreviations. The capital X in Hx has no special meaning; it is simply a long-standing shorthand for history, like Dx for diagnosis and Tx for treatment.
Writers sometimes add "significant for" or "notable for" before the list, and "denies" before conditions the patient says they do not have. You can find more note shorthand in the nursing abbreviations section.
Your past medical history is only as good as the information shared with your team. Bring questions or corrections about it to your doctor or nurse at your next visit.
Frequently asked questions
What does PMHx mean in a medical note?
PMHx means past medical history. It lists the patient's earlier and current health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Is PMHx the same as PMH?
Yes. Both stand for past medical history. The Hx version simply uses the common shorthand for history.
What is the difference between HPI and PMHx?
HPI, history of present illness, describes the current problem in detail. PMHx lists the background conditions the patient already has or had before.
Are surgeries part of the past medical history?
Often they get their own section called past surgical history, or PSHx. Some notes include them in PMHx with s/p in front of the procedure name.