Categories Finance

Treatments for Heart Diseases Can Be Heavy on Your Pockets

Healthcare expenses in India are costly. Often, when you think about heart disease, the focus is only on coronary artery disease (CAD). However, even other types of conditions affect the heart and require specific treatments. Apart from CAD, some common illnesses include: 

  • Congenital heart diseases
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Mitral valve prolapse
  • Arrhythmia
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Heart failure
  • Mitral regurgitation
  • Pulmonary stenosis

Habits for better heart health

A healthy way of life can significantly reduce the risks of a heart condition. Even if you have high cholesterol, which increases the possibility of a heart attack or stroke, adopting some lifestyle changes will improve your heart health. These life-changing modifications include:

  • Quit smoking

Smoking causes various kinds of disorders, such as lung cancer and heart disease, among others. In addition to harming your health, smoking increases the premium on your medical insurance cover.

  • Avoid alcohol consumption

 It is common knowledge that alcohol is harmful to health. It is advisable to stop consuming alcohol for your heart’s wellbeing.

  • Exercise regularly

Men should cycle or walk at least 40 minutes per day to maintain a healthy heart. Women must also exercise for a minimum of 2.5 hours a week.

  • Consume healthy foods

Include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Also, reduce the intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats to stay fit.

Costs of treating heart conditions

The total expenses for a heart surgery range between INR 225,000 to INR 525,000, depending on theseverity.Without a cashless health insurance plan, the treatment cost might hamper your finances.

Type of surgery Cost (INR)
Coronary artery bypass grafting 337,500
Open heart surgery 262,500
Off-pump surgery 225,000
Minimal invasive surgery 450,000
Heart transplant 525,000

Benefits of health insurance

High cholesterol is one of the biggest causes of heart conditions, like coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. High cholesterol affects almost 30% of the urban population and 20% of the rural population in India.Health insurance for high cholesterol provides several benefits like:

  • Hospitalization cover
  • Doctors’ consultation fees
  • Tax benefits
  • Medical tests and costs

An unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle are increasing the risk of heart diseases, especially among the younger population. According to the Indian Heart Association, over 50% of heart attacks affect people aged below 50. 25% of such patients are under the age of 40.

If you have a pre-existing heart condition, you may have to pay a higher premium with a long waiting period to avail of a regular critical illness mediclaim policy. A dedicated cardiac care health plan is beneficial to ensure that you can meet the ever-increasing treatment costs of pre-existing heart conditions. These plans cover all kinds of heart diseases. Additionally, you enjoy tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961, on the premium that you pay for your heart mediclaim policy.

Get health insurance for high cholesterol today and be financially equippedto deal with a chronic heart ailment in the future.