| By :
Wiley Long
Heart disease is the number one killer of women, but women are less likely to receive appropriate treatment for heart attacks than men. Worse still, women are more likely than men to die in a hospital from a severe heart attack. A study by doctors at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found that women were less likely to receive angioplasty within ninety minutes after arriving at the hospital, less likely to be given beta blockers, and less likely to receive treatment required to re-establish proper blood flow than were men. On top of that, woman are less likely to have Health Insurance in Texas to cover emergency care. Health insurance premium hikes hurt women more because woman are less likely to be eligible for coverage through employers since women are more likely to work part-time, have lower incomes, and rely on a coverage from a spouse. One of every ten women who work full-time has no health insurance coverage. For woman with health insurance, almost 16 percent have been denied approval or payment for health care. Protect Yourself from Heart Attacks You can arm yourself with the knowledge of how to prevent heart disease, what to do if you have a heart attack, and how to find the best rates for Health Insurance in Texas. Does your lifestyle harm or help your heart? You may need to cut out high-calorie and high-cholesterol foods and smoking, or reduce alcohol and stress. Be aware that obesity puts you at greater risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance, which is a precursor of diabetes. All of these problems increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, your total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL, and your LDL (bad) cholesterol should range from under 100mg/dL to under 160 mg/dL depending on other risk factors for heart disease. Your HDL (good) cholesterol should be 40 mg/dL or higher for men, and 50 mg/dL or higher for women. Triglycerides should be under 150 mg/dL, and your blood pressure should be below 120/80 mmHg. Research has also shown that at least 30 minutes of physical activity five or more days a week can lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and help you maintain a healthy weight. Even small amounts of exercise, like ten minutes at a time, may offer some benefits. Studies show that even people who achieve a moderate level of fitness are much less likely to die early than those with a low fitness level. Learn the Signs of a Heart Attack Women can experience all or none of the symptoms of heart attacks when they have an attack. Only an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a blood enzyme test can confirm if you are having or have experienced a heart attack. It's important to know for sure because a silent heart attack still damages your heart, and lessens your heart's ability to survive another attack. Insist on an EKG or an enzyme blood test because it's your life! Heart attack symptoms may include all, some, or none of the following: - Abdominal or stomach pain - Clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness - Crushing chest pain - Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath - Discomfort, fullness, pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or coming and going - Dizziness or nausea - Pain or pressure that spreads to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulders, or upper back - Unexplained anxiety, fatigue or weakness -- especially during exertion. Heart attacks with a lack of symptoms (silent heart attacks) often accompany ischemia. That means that plaque in the arteries has created a long-term shortage of blood and oxygen reaching the heart. You are more likely to have ischemia if you have at least three risk factors for heart disease, and are post-menopausal. A cardiac stress test (a treadmill workout while tracking how well your heart is doing) can detect ischemia. What to Do If You Think You're Having a Heart Attack Call 911 and tell the operator you are having heart attack symptoms. Don't try to drive yourself, or ask someone to drive you to a doctor or hospital. Not all hospitals can deal with acute coronary problems, and going to the wrong hospital will delay treatment. The added stress of driving won't do your struggling heart any good, either. You may also need professional emergency personnel if your condition gets worse before you reach the hospital. Chew of crush a full-strength aspirin, and swallow it with a glass of water to prevent further blood clotting, and do as much as possible to reduce the strain on your heart. Look for Health Insurance in Texas that Benefits Individuals Big employers and insurance companies negotiate with doctors and hospitals to buy treatment for thousands of dollars less than what the general public may be charged. With the help of independent agents who work with Texas Health Insurance Plans from several companies, you can take advantage of similar negotiation services. If they can negotiate down the cost of your medical bill, you get to keep as much as 70 percent of the savings, but you pay nothing if they are unable to negotiate a price reduction. Independent agents can also appeal when you're denied coverage.
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