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- Hypertension is a potentially deadly disease that is easily controlled with appropriate medication
- Regular exercise is also effective in lowering one’s blood pressure
- Many health insurance companies consider hypertension a pre-existing condition
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High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which the patient’s blood pressure is elevated some or most of the time.
Blood pressure is measured in two numbers: systolic, which measures the pressure as the heart pumps the blood, and diastolic, which measures the pressure as the blood returns to the heart.
These numbers are usually written one over the other, such as 120/80; the top number is systolic and the bottom number diastolic.
A measurement of 120/80 is considered normal; 130/90 is borderline high; anything higher than 130/90, either top or bottom, is considered high blood pressure. Typically, a higher bottom number is more dangerous than a higher top number.
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Dangers of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure has been linked to several fatal conditions including heart attacks and strokes. It is one of a doctor’s best ways of predicting future health problems.
Many high blood pressure patients today are advised to watch the diet and avoid high-cholesterol foods, which are thought to contribute to a buildup of plaque in the arteries and drive blood pressure up.
High blood pressure patients should avoid smoking since it constricts the blood vessels and raises their blood pressure. Thankfully, regular exercise can help to lower their blood pressure overall.
If these measures do not control blood pressure, medications can be given which control blood pressure, often by the use of diuretic properties.
In the past, patients with high blood pressure sometimes had trouble obtaining health insurance. This was because high blood pressure is such an accurate predictor of later serious health problems.
Fortunately, the medications of today control blood pressure relatively easily and when combined with lifestyle changes, patients are finding it easier to obtain health insurance.
Is health insurance more expensive if I have high blood pressure?
There is no doubt that you may have to pay more for your insurance if you have a pre-existing condition such as high blood pressure.
Insurance companies still take the stance that someone with high blood pressure may not be compliant with treatment and could develop expensive and serious health problems in the future.
Therefore, you should check into a variety of insurance plans to see which best fits your needs. Sometimes, an HMO or PPO plan is your best bet. Both plans are offered by the major health insurance companies like United Healthcare, CIGNA, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Aetna.
On the other hand, if high blood pressure is your only health issue and you are otherwise healthy, you could take out a short-term, renewable policy, which is usually less expensive.
Major medical coverage is also a viable option and will be far less expensive than any regular insurance plan.
Before making a final decision, discuss your overall health with your doctor to better. If you choose major medical only, you will not be covered for doctor’s visits, preventative treatments, or prescriptions.
People with High Blood Pressure need a Pharmacy Plan
Most patients with high blood pressure must take medication every day, so a plan that includes pharmacy benefits makes sense. Since some patients require a specific blood pressure medication to control their condition, and these drugs are often very expensive.
If you require one of these specific drugs, you would benefit by having prescription coverage on your plan. Keep in mind that, many patients take generic drugs to control high blood pressure with no adverse effects.
If this is the case, then you are often better off purchasing a cheaper health insurance plan which does not include pharmacy and buying your generic blood pressure medication with a prescription discount card.
These are available from most health insurance companies. You can get your blood pressure medication for as little as $5 a month, and save significantly on your insurance premiums.
Although it’s may not be difficult to find a health insurance company to give you coverage, it may be difficult finding a plan within your budget. This also means you will have more out-of-pocket costs than with a regular insurance plan.
You might also want to consider a healthcare savings account (HSA), which allows you to put aside money for medical expenses each month and draw on them when you must have “everyday” medical treatment such as doctor’s visits and prescriptions.
Take the steps to keep our health in check! Our FREE online tool helps you compare affordable health insurance from the comfort of your home!
[su_spoiler title=”References:” icon=”caret-square” style=”fancy” open=”yes”]
- http://www.everydayhealth.com/high-cholesterol/diet/ten-high-cholesterol-foods-to-avoid/ab/?feature=ss3
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
- http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-law/pre-existing-conditions/index.html
- http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/how-take-blood-pressure-medicine-properly-why-you-should
- http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingGenericDrugs/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_savings_account
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