Health Insurance for Patients with Hypertension
Updated On Apr 01, 2020
Elevators instead of lifts. Junk food instead of home cooked food. Carbonated drinks instead of good old lemonade. Candy Crush instead of gully cricket. This is the sad reality of our lives these days. Our daily routine has become synonymous with fast lifestyle, high pressure jobs and lack of physical activities. All these have resulted in the exponential rise of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, etc.
Read on to know more about hypertension and how health insurance can help you deal with this silent killer.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension means an abnormal increase in the blood pressure. Normally blood pressure should be 120 mm Hg over 80 mm Hg. In case of hypertension, the reading crosses 130 mm Hg over 80 mm Hg. There are two types of hypertension – Primary and Secondary
Primary Hypertension
In primary hypertension, the volume of the blood plasma and hormonal balance for proper blood regulation is impacted. It can also be influenced by factors such as absence of physical activities or stress. This type of hypertension is not caused by any other disease or medical condition.
Secondary Hypertension
This form of hypertension arises when some other medical issues remain unmanaged. It could be diabetes, obesity, hyperthyroidism or some kidney ailments.
Why is hypertension so dangerous?
Hypertension is globally recognized as one of the major cause for heart-related diseases and premature deaths. The severity of this lifestyle disease can be judged from these following statistics and facts:
- The most terrifying aspect about hypertension is that it has no apparent symptoms. That is why it is often referred to as the silent killer.
- According to a research done by Cardiological Society of India, every 5th young adult in our country is suffering from high blood pressure. This number is equivalent to about 8 Crore individuals.
- Men and women are at equal risk from high blood pressure.
- High blood pressure is a deadly killer. As per a report published by Department of Health Research (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), this was the cause of 10.8% deaths in the country in the year 2018.
- Hypertension can be directly held responsible for 24% heart attacks and 29% stroke incidents in India. It is the biggest risk factor that leads to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
- Awareness about this lifestyle disease is extremely low.
- Stress is the main culprit that leads to hypertension.
- Unmanaged hypertension may lead to a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, cognitive decline or even death.
You may also like to read Top 4 Health Insurance Plans for Lifestyle Diseases
Some simple tips can help ensure that one keeps this deadly disease at bay altogether. As its said, prevention is better than cure.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Keep your weight in check. Rather than only focusing on the number showed by the weighing scale, one should check the Body Mass Index (BMI). As this is derived basis the height, weight and age of the individual.
- Include exercise in your daily routine. Focus on cardio, functional training and strength building. Half an hour of exercise every day will go a long way in preventing this lifestyle related disease.
- Include seasonal and local produce in the daily diet. Do not run only behind exotic grains or fruits. For instance, amaranth is as good as quinoa! (and more affordable as well)
- Meditate or involve oneself in an activity that calms you. Yoga can be very beneficial for this purpose.
- Reduce or monitor intake of fried or processed food, sugar, caffeine and alcohol
- Monitor vital stats such as blood pressure, etc.
- Stop or cut down on smoking
- Try to stay away from negativity
- Watch out for these issues – constant headaches, nosebleeds, blurred vision, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, blood in the urine and pounding or pain in ears or neck.
Why do people suffering from hypertension need health insurance?
Sometimes, even after leading a healthy lifestyle, one can become prone to high blood pressure. Genetics and family medical history play a big role in these lifestyle diseases. Hence, one needs to be prepared for every eventuality.
While health insurance is important for every individual, it is extremely critical for people diagnosed with (or prone to) hypertension. Some of the key reasons why patients of hypertension need health insurance are:
Medical costs
High Blood Pressure can leave you penniless. The impact of hypertension extends to much beyond one’s heart. It can damage arteries, brain, kidneys and eyes, if not managed at an early stage. As a result, hypertension patients become prone to a host of critical diseases. The treatment for all these diseases is a long-drawn affair. And with the rising inflation in the healthcare sector, it is likely to cost one oodles of money. An adequate health insurance plan can help fund these treatments as well as cover for other incidental expenses such as diagnostic tests, medicines, etc.
Early Detection
It is said that hypertension is the biggest cause of premature deaths globally. In our country, the penetration of annual health check-ups is not very encouraging. Till 2018, a mere 11% of the country’s population had invested in health insurance.
Timely and early detection of hypertension plays an important role in its control and management. Many health insurance providers offer complimentary health check-ups to their patrons. These mandatory check-ups ensure diagnosis at an early stage.
Waiting Period
Hypertension is one of the diseases which has a waiting period clause in mostly all health insurance policies. The duration of the wait-period can vary between two years to four years. Hence, it is important that one invests in a health insurance policy as early as possible. This will ensure that one has the necessary financial support in the unfortunate event of a health related calamity.
Hence, for individuals who have a hectic and stressful lifestyle or have a family history of hypertension, it is important to start off with a good medical insurance policy at the earliest. Do not procrastinate this decision to the time when the tragedy actually strikes.
You may also like to read Top Health Insurance Plans with Regard to the Waiting Period
Lower Premium
Lesser the age of the insured, lower are the premiums. Starting early with health insurance plans ensures lower outflows on premiums and also access to a wider set of benefits.
Final Words
Life is highly uncertain. What we can do is to prepare ourselves for all possible difficulties. A healthy lifestyle and a good insurance plan will ensure that you remain well protected. The tension of hypertension can be brought down drastically by this effective duo. It will help in taking out the added stress of managing medical bills and expenses when you are suffering from hypertension.
These days many health insurance providers offer specific insurance plans for individuals suffering from heart related problems. All you need to do is to choose a plan that meets your financial requirements and covers your medical needs.
So, why wait and tempt the fate. Don’t miss the bus by being lazy or late!
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