Cardiovascular Health: From Heart Attack Symptoms to Effective Prevention and Insurance Coverage

What Are Cardiovascular Diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) cover a range of conditions impacting the heart and blood vessels. From strokes to coronary heart disease, heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmias, which affect individuals differently. They are the primary cause of global mortality, as according to WHO reports, approximately 17.9 million people died in 2019 because of cardiovascular diseases.

Symptoms

The symptoms of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases vary widely, but here are some common ones-

1. Symptoms of a Heart Attack

• Chest pain or discomfort can be felt in the centre or left of the chest.
• Upper-body discomfort or pain in one or both arms, back, jaw, or neck can occur.
• Shortness of breath
• Other signs like nausea, lightheadedness, cold sweat, etc., can be felt.

2. Symptoms of Other Cardiovascular Diseases

• Stroke: A stroke is a sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, leg, or on one side of the body.
• Heart failure: Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and swelling.
• Arrhythmia: It has irregular heartbeats as a symptom, which can cause palpitations, dizziness, or fainting.

Why Does a Heart Attack Occur?

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow is blocked to a part of the heart. Multiple factors or causes are responsible for it, such as –

• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels.
• Obesity: Extra body fat, combined with high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes.
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): It damages the arteries, making them more susceptible to plaque formation or heart attack.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity leads to obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Genetics: People with a family history of heart disease are at higher risk of developing heart disease.
• Smoking: It damages the lining of the arteries, builds up plaque, and increases the risk of blood clots.
• Unhealthy Diet: Diets high in trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium contribute to having a heart attack.

How Can We Prevent a Heart Attack or Any Other Cardiovascular Disease?

Preventing a heart attack or any other cardiovascular disease includes adopting a comprehensive and long-term approach to address multiple risk factors. Some of these are:

1. Lifestyle Changes

• Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Regular physical activity can help improve cardiovascular health.
• A heart-healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, etc.
• Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

2. Medications

• Statins help to reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors help manage heart failure and improve survival after a heart attack.
• Antihypertensives control high blood pressure.
• Antiplatelets help to prevent blood clots.

3. Surgical Interventions

• Bypass surgery to make a new pathway for the blood flow around the blocked arteries.
• Pacemaker Installation to help regulate heartbeats.
• Angioplasty and stent placement to unclog blocked arteries.

Health Insurance for Heart Stroke or Other Cardiovascular Diseases

Having adequate health and life insurance coverage is crucial, especially when facing the potential financial strain of managing a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease. Here’s everything you need to know about health insurance:

• The treatment of cardiovascular diseases in India can be expensive and cost you Rs. 2 lakhs or more, depending on your condition. But you don’t have to worry, as all health insurance plans in India provide you with the option to get your heart disease, treatment, hospitalisation, and medications covered by the insurance companies.
• Insurance companies provide coverage for emergency services like ambulances, emergency rooms, ICU charges, post-hospitalisation follow-ups, critical illnesses, etc.
• To claim the insurance in case of an emergency, you must inform the insurer, submit reports, and submit hospital documents. This can also help you have cashless treatment in network hospitals.
• There can be waiting periods and exclusions in the insurance that can apply, as some policies may not cover pre-existing conditions immediately. 

Health insurance is suitable for people with a family history of heart disease, smokers, older adults, etc. 

Key Takeaways

Heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases rank as the top causes of global mortality. Timely recognition of symptoms such as chest pain and irregular heartbeats is vital. Comprehensive health insurance for cardiac diseases can offer crucial financial protection against these conditions.

Consider platforms like PhonePe to explore and secure comprehensive health insurance plans that provide essential financial protection against cardiac diseases.