Heart Attack

Heart attack has been one of the most reported causes of sudden death in adults. It is estimated that more than 15 lakh people die due to heart attacks yearly and in many cases, it proves to be a sudden silent attack. Early diagnosis and treatment are very crucial to save lives. As most heart attacks happen out of the hospital, everyone must have basic knowledge of the heart attack symptoms so that people could be saved. Let’s understand them in detail.

Heart attack causes can vary from person to person. Poor eating habits, unhealthy daily routine, overstress, etc. can lead to coronary heart diseases. Even with no coronary disease, an attack is possible because a spasm blocks the blood supply to the artery.

Various heart attack causes are-

Coronary artery disease:

When a person suffers coronary artery disease, the coronary arteries get blocked and the oxygen-rich blood supply to the heart becomes difficult and blocked. Without this blood, the heart cannot function and a heart attack happens.

Plaque:

Plaque gets formed in the arteries due to excess fat, protein, inflammatory cells, and calcium. The inside of the plaque is soft and the outside is hard. If the harder side breaks, blood clotting begins which, sometimes, may block the blood supply in the arteries. Eventually, without a blood supply, the heart cannot function which leads to a heart attack.

Spasm:

This is a rare cause of heart attack. The coronary spasm does not allow the proper flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart which leads to a heart attack. It may happen even when a person is at rest and has no history of coronary heart disease.

Heart attack symptoms can advance slowly and may lead to fatalities. So, the patient or people around them must sense the initial signs of a heart attack on time and get the right treatment done before the matter slips off from their hands. Before you look for how to prevent heart attack, understanding symptoms are important. Some common symptoms of heart attack are-

• Tightened chest
• Severe pain in the chest
• Breathing problem
• Sudden dizziness
• Severe pain in the left arm that may spread to the neck, back, and waist.
• Upset stomach or indigestion
• Uneven heartbeat
• Nausea
• Vomiting tendency

Heart attack symptoms in women may be different from those noticed in men and children. Different individuals may experience different signs of a heart attack.

Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack

A heart attack mustn’t be confused with cardiac arrest as two are different heart conditions. Let’s understand the topic “cardiac arrest vs heart attack”:

• A heart attack is a condition occurred due to a blood circulation problem. Cardiac arrest is a condition occurred due to electrical malfunction of the heart.
• Due to the aforementioned causes, when blood does not properly flow to the heart, it leads to a heart attack. On the other hand, due to electrical malfunction in the heart, the brain, lungs, and several other organs do not receive does not receive ample blood supply which leads to irregular heartbeat and ultimately to cardiac arrest.

Apart from knowing the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest, it is also vital to know that sometimes a heart attack may lead to cardiac arrest. The individual becomes unconscious and shows no pulse. If no treatment is received immediately, the person dies within a few minutes and in the next few minutes, decomposition of the body begins.

“Prevention is better than cure” proves to be an extremely beneficial plan when it comes to staying healthy and living a long life. Before you look for medicines, look for changes that you can incorporate in your life to make it a healthy one and avoid the chances of a heart attack. Several preventive measures against heart attack are-

• Quit smoking and drinking habits
• Go for regular check-ups without fail
• Stay physically active and eat only healthy
• Take medicines on time without skipping any
• Stay updated on risk factors and facts about heart attacks

In case you witness someone with heart attack symptoms, call an ambulance immediately on 108 or your family doctor. If the person is on some regular medication related to the heart, give them. Try to calm them down. If the individual becomes unconscious, give CPR immediately until the medical help arrives.

Due to sedentary lifestyles, high-pressure jobs, increase in everyday stress levels, there has been an unprecedented growth in cardiac ailments in people. While heart problems can bring lots of physical complications, they can also be very heavy on the pocket. In such a scenario, investing in a health insurance plan can be quite a prudent step. Many insurance providers offer special health insurance plans and products specially designed for heart attacks and other cardiac issues. Let us take a look at the benefits such covers can bring for you.

Compensates the Treatment

When you invest in a health insurance plan for a heart attack you receive compensation for the cost of the treatment and other associated expenses.

Lump Sum Payout

Most health insurance plans for heart attack offer a lump sum benefit in case of the diagnosis/ treatment procedure. This amount can be used for the treatment or also as an income replacer.

Overseas Treatment

While most health insurance plans do not cover treatment taken overseas, most health insurance plans for heart attacks also provide coverage in a foreign country as well.

Tax Benefits

Health insurance plans for heart attacks also offer tax benefits. The premium that you pay towards the insurance is tax-deductible under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Peace of Mind

One of the biggest benefits of health insurance plans for heart attacks is that they allow you peace of mind. You can rest assured that even if something happens to you, you will be in a position to seek good health care, without worrying about the hospital bills.

The coverage of a health insurance plan for a heart attack depends on the plan that you have opted for. While in most cases, the inclusions in health insurance plans for heart attacks are as follows:

• Your hospital bill in case of a heart attack will be taken care of by the insurance provider. ICU charges, room rent, doctors’ fees are covered as per the plan features.
• Most plans cover the following treatments:
  • First Heart Attack
  • Refractory Heart Failure
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Angioplasty
  • Heart Transplant
• The health plan will cover the expenses that are incurred before and after the hospitalisation due to a heart attack. The number of days depends on the plan.
• Depending on the plan, you may be eligible for annual health check-ups or wellness programmes that are offered.
• OPD treatments and daycare procedures are also covered under the plan.

The following situations are not covered:

• Injuries/accidents that happen due to participation in adventure activities are not covered
• Self-inflicted injuries will not be covered
• Sexually transmitted diseases are not covered