3 Easy Ways Your Medicare Plan Can Help You Have A Healthy Heart Over The Age Of 55
The Centers for Disease Control suggests that heart disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women in the United States, with over 600,000 Americans dying every year from this condition. As your age increases, so does your risk for heart problems like heart attacks, congenital heart disease and high blood pressure. Here are 3 ways your medicare insurance plan can help you keep your heart healthy and in peak condition if you are over the age of 55.
1. Ask Your Insurance Company & Your Doctor About Resources in Your Area
Most people know that exercise and eating right are important factors in your health. Actually putting these things into action is a little more difficult. However, did you know that most medicare insurance plans and physicians have a list of resources in various areas near you that you may be able to take advantage of? Your insurance carrier and your family doctor may be able to point you to nutrition counseling classes, fitness groups and even online support groups that will provide you with the physical and emotional support you need to take control of your heart health.
2. Keep Your Doctor's Appointments
Many medicare insurance plans allow you to have a check up and lab work performed every 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on your plan. Keeping your regular doctor's appointments is critical, especially for seniors. Routine check ups can help spot heart conditions early on, before they have time to do significant damage. Read your plan carefully or speak with an insurance representative to better understand your coverage and how often your plan will pay for routine physician's visits.
3. Ask Your Doctor For an EKG Test
An EKG test, or an electrocardiogram, is a simple test that can tell how fast your heart is beating or if your heart is out of rhythm. It takes just seconds to complete, and most medicare insurance plans cover this painless test for elderly individuals. Having an EKG test done frequently can not only help catch problems with your heart early, it can also provide a baseline reference to which future test results can be compared.
As a senior, it's more important than ever to monitor your heart health closely. Having a healthy heart requires more than just eating the right foods and getting enough exercise every day. By utilizing the resources your medicare insurance plans provide you, it's possible to stay abreast of the health of your heart and continue to enjoy your daily activities.
