A heart attack is when a portion of the heart muscle is damaged from a low blood supply. It can result in death if you’re not careful. Having a heart attack is a serious matter, and it’s important to know when you’re having one so that you can get help. 

Studies show that heart attacks occur every 40 seconds in this country. One person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. That roughly estimates to 655,000 people dying each year from heart attacks and heart disease. 

Let’s talk about the precursors of a heart attack and how to be prepared with life insurance should you experience a heart attack. We’ll also look at ways to keep your heart healthy.

The Signs of an Oncoming Heart Attack

The warning signs of a heart attack are listed below. If you find you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call emergency services and have them take you to the hospital immediately. 

#1 – Pressure in Your Upper Body

Pressure in your chest, back, or abdomen can mean that your heart is not getting enough oxygen and blood. This sensation can last for a few minutes, disappear, and then come back again. 

Sometimes pressure in your chest can come from anxiety. You know yourself best but if you feel pressure, you should probably go to the hospital as soon as possible, just to be safe.

#2 – Shortness of Breath

When you are experiencing the onset of a heart attack, fluid enters the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. Even when you’re resting, this can happen. And you don’t necessarily feel upper body discomfort all the time.

Again, you know yourself. If your breath is short from feeling anxious, make sure you try different coping techniques to help you breathe deeper. Singing can regulate and deepen breathing.

#3 – Sweating Profusely

Regardless of whether you’re exercising, you can start to sweat profusely. The heart has to pump harder to get blood and oxygen. As a result, the body begins to sweat from being overworked. 

#4 – Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations are irregular heartbeats that can last a few seconds or a few minutes. Palpitations don’t always mean you had a heart attack, but it can be a sign of something more serious.

Again, if you feel yourself experiencing these symptoms, please dial 911 or immediately head to the hospital with the help of a loved one. Do not drive if you are experiencing these symptoms.

The Perfect Life Insurance Policy to Get After a Heart Attack

Life insurance is insurance that pays out when the insured has died or after a specific time. The best life insurance for someone that just experienced a heart attack would be term life insurance. 

Term life insurance ranges from 5 years to 30 years, depending on what you want and need. It’s cheaper than whole life insurance and has a large death benefit.  

Whole life insurance offers coverage for the lifetime of the insured. The payments are at a fixed rate, so you don’t have to worry about rates increasing. These are good policies if you need to take out money for unexpected expenses like hospital stays. 

If you feel like you would not be accepted for life insurance because of your heart condition, there is guaranteed whole life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. It should be noted that guaranteed whole life insurance has a smaller payout than other policies.

Regardless of the type you choose, make sure you get life insurance. Have a loved one or an insurance agent help you figure out which kind of life insurance best suits your needs.

Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Keeping your heart healthy includes exercise, eating well, regular visits to the doctor, and meditation. Taking these preventative measures can help prevent heart attacks and coronary heart disease.

#1 – Exercise Regularly

Exercise is so crucial for your heart health. Walking, running, swimming, and biking are great ways to get the heart pumping and increase oxygen and blood flow. There are plenty of fitness apps to choose from as well that can help you during your workouts, including Peloton, Freeletics, and Strava. 

If you find it difficult for you to work out by yourself, find a family member or friend who will commit to working out with you three to four times a week. 

And don’t be afraid to start small. You don’t have to start off working out for an hour or more. Just do 15 minutes a day and your heart health should improve. 

#2 – Eat Healthy

Eating well can strengthen your heart and help prevent heart attacks. Try incorporating more leafy vegetables, almonds, and whole grains into your diet. Avoid foods like pizza, baked goods, and red meats. These tend to increase your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Also, try to avoid sugary drinks like sodas. Water and green tea are healthier for you.

Healthy eating is hard to maintain, but you can control what goes into your body by keeping track of your diet.  Your heart will thank you for eating more heart-healthy foods.

#3 – Visit the Doctor Regularly

Regular visits to your doctor will help reduce the risk of heart attacks. Make sure to be completely honest with your doctor about your health and eating habits. 

Let them know if your family has a history of heart disease and diabetes. Diabetes can increase the risk of heart attacks as well. 

If necessary, take medications for your heart that your doctor prescribes. If it means that you help your heart to keep pumping, then keep taking them. 

#4 – Meditate Daily

Meditation has to be one of the best ways to keep your mind and heart-healthy and at peace. It lowers your blood pressure and helps you work on your breathing. Mindfulness is a great meditation technique that allows you to be aware of your surroundings and be more in touch with your body. 

Stress can be alleviated by meditating for just 10 minutes a day. Take some time before starting your day to meditate and practice mindfulness. 

The Heart Is Sacred

It’s not easy being a human. We deal with so many health issues in today’s society. We must be vigilant and disciplined with what we intake and digest, especially as heart disease and other diseases like it continue to wreak havoc on our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

The heart should be protected and kept healthy at all costs. It is how humans live and function. We can’t control how the heartbeats, but we can control how long it keeps beating. Take care of your heart and your body.

About the Author

Peyton Leonard writes and researches for the life insurance comparison site, QuickQuote.com. Peyton is passionate about heart health and helping people develop healthy habits, such as eating well and getting plenty of exercise.  

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