My doctor did angioplasty and discovered that I had total blockage in one of my arteries and would need a stent inserted to re-open it. He later told me I was his second youngest patient to have a heart attack. I was only 33 years old.
I’m one of the lucky ones to have suffered this “silent killer.” It’s called that because it often occurs without exhibiting any symptoms. And, one year after my heart attack, I want to share with you what I have learned during my recovery process. Perhaps my hard-learned lesson will serve as a wake-up call for you to take charge of your health.
Learn The Signs and Act
The first, and most important, tip to remember is to learn the signs of a heart attack. If you don’t know the signs, you won’t seek the medical help you need to survive it. The most common signs of a heart attack are chest pain, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath and cold sweat.
It’s good to know the signs, but you must seek immediate treatment from a doctor or cardiologist. The minutes following a heart attack are crucial, as each minute wasted means more heart muscle dies. Be sure to have an ambulance number – 995 – stored into your phone, calling them to take you the nearest government hospital. You could also have the Private Hospital’s Ambulance Call Center number stored in your phone as well.
Pay Attention To What Your Doctor Says
Denial is a normal reaction to something traumatic. However, when it comes to heart attacks (and other important matters regarding health), you don’t need to let it hinder you from accepting the truth. Time is vital in a heart attack, and the more time you waste getting second opinions, the more heart muscle that dies
Have An Annual Checkout and Live A Healthy Lifestyle
You should always see your doctor at least once a year to get an annual check-up. Your doctor should do bloodwork, check your weight, height, blood pressure and other diagnostic measurements to gauge your health.
Your doctor will give you advice on how to live a healthy life – foods to avoid, exercises you can join in; things of that nature. By incorporating a healthy diet and exercise program, you can potentially prevent a heart attack.
Consume Fewer Calories Than You Burn
80 percent of your health is dictated by the kind and amount of food you consume. When I had my heart attack, I was overweight. It was a wakeup call for me. I began taking better care of my diet – eating less and better. Within seven months, I had lost 12Kgs (without doing much exercise). The progress isn’t fast, but it’s steady.
I made sure that I consumed less food than my body would burn. Calories in vs. calories burned – that’s what it boils down to. I eat three meals a day, making my lunch a little heavier, so I don’t snack in the late morning or afternoon.
Healthy food is Nice!
If you’re like me, you have a misconception about healthy food. Most people tend to think that healthy food is bland, boring and tasteless. Many think of eating healthy wheat bread or low-carb bread as being like cardboard.
Surprise!
There are all kinds of delicious healthy foods out there. I was looking for healthy foods that could sustain my long-term goals of getting healthy. And, I was shocked by the sheer number of healthy foods out there. It’s not hard, but you do need to open your eyes.
See Exercise As A Blessing
I have to admit that I am lazy when it comes to exercise, but I’m two months into an exercise program. I guess that’s progress! I understand that getting exercise and working out is good for my heart and health, but it’s still difficult.
I have a cousin that’s big into CrossFit. She and I got together shortly after my surgery, and she wanted to impart some wisdom – Being able to exercise is a blessing. We should exercise and appreciate our healthy bodies. She went out to say that some people are not as fortunate to have their whole body to exercise, but they still find ways to include it into their life.
Have you ever watched online videos of disabled people working out or the Paralympics? I don’t have an excuse not to work out, which is why I started an exercise program few months back.
Review Your Health Insurance Policy
I know I’m blessed to have amazing hospital and critical illness coverage. Just the mere fact of having a good hospital coverage made it easy for me to seek immediate medical help when I needed it the most. Had I not had good hospital coverage, I may have hesitated to seek out any treatment and may not even be here today. As soon as I realized what symptoms I was having, I went to the hospital and sought treatment. I agreed right away with the doctor to surgery.
With the right hospital insurance policy, you don’t have to worry about a huge hospital or doctor bill. Your policy should cover it. Thankfully, my policy has covered my bills, and I didn’t have to worry about having to pay for it.
Heart attacks is listed under the critical illness category. By having a good critical illness coverage means less stress and worry. I didn’t need to worry about income loss, my household expenses and other additional expenses due to the heart attack, because I had built up an emergency fund from the critical illness insurance payout.
Great healthcare coverage is a necessity before, during and after a medical crisis!
Tommy Khoe
Founder of AboutInsurance.SG
+6594380070