Posted on: Apr 9, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Suffering From Stress & Hypertension? Here Is Why You Need A Health Insurance To Safeguard Your Health

health insurance for hypertension and stress management

Today, everyone is busy with their fast-paced lives, including relentless working hours, minimal physical activity, and imbalanced eating habits and routines. Because of lifestyle changes, youngsters often ignore taking care of their health, which causes them chronic ailments like stress and hypertension or high blood pressure. Being under the impact of stress for a long time may cause hypertension; however, opting for an exercise-oriented lifestyle can reduce stress and its ill-effects.

In this blog, let us explore the crucial relationship between stress, hypertension, and the necessity of health insurance for managing stress-related health issues effectively.

Understanding Stress and Hypertension

According to the WHO, stress is the human body’s natural response to uncomfortable or scary situations or threats. It leads to a mental state where the person feels mentally strained or worried. Stress can have various symptoms, such as physical, emotional, and psychological.

When under stress, the human body releases adrenaline and cortisol into the blood, making the heart beat faster and causing blood vessels to contract, leading to high blood pressure. Staying under the prolonged effect of the stressors (reasons or factors causing the stress) can lead to chronic stress, which may further develop the risk of hypertension.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lack of physical activity, obesity, intake of tobacco and/or alcohol, diabetes, genetics, ageing, high consumption of sugar, and an unhealthy diet are some of the significant risk factors for hypertension.

If left unbothered and untreated for long, there is a high chance that hypertension causes severe health complications such as heart disease, heart stroke, and kidney damage.

The Link Between Stress, Hypertension, and Health Insurance

The human body can endure day-to-day acute stress levels because they are short-term. The symptoms of acute stress end when the stressor is gone, and so does the high blood pressure. Health insurance acts like a superhero by providing access to timely medical healthcare and resources for stress management and hypertension treatment.

Tips To Control Hypertension

Here are some of the practical tips to control hypertension:

• Say no to sugar, oily foods, and high amounts of salt in your diet. Opt for foods that are rich in vitamins C and E, prioritising fruits, green vegetables, dairy products, nuts/seeds, and garlic.

• Cut off unhealthy habits of alcohol consumption and smoking from your day.

• Set your physical health goals to target fat reduction and lowering the cholesterol levels in the body.

• Maintain a schedule to exercise regularly, be it working out in the gym or going for long walks.

• If possible, avoid or remove your stressors or stressful situations. To keep yourself calm and composed, practice Pranayama, yoga, and meditation at least thrice a week.

• Aim for a high-quality and good sleep routine of at least 6 to 8 hours a day. Set your room with dim lighting, comfortable mattresses, and peace. Avoid using gadgets an hour before going to sleep.

• Lastly, if nothing out of all helps, consult a doctor or a therapist and stay consistent in visiting them.

Access to Healthcare Services

Opting for health insurance gives you enhanced access to healthcare services and medical assistance from a wide network of healthcare providers. This facilitates early detection of symptoms, timely diagnosis, support, and treatment of stress-related ailments, such as hypertension.

Coverage for Stress Management and Hypertension Treatment

health insurance is not just about covering your extensive medical bills; it's about investing in your health for a long time. You get access to consultations with mental health professionals, mental and emotional therapies, stress management courses and programs, blood pressure monitoring devices, prescription medications, and lifestyle interventions depending on the plan you choose.

Financial Protection Against Medical Costs

The cost of medical care in India is on the rise, and expenses for hospitalisation, consultations, lab tests, and stress and hypertension management can burn your pockets. Choosing suitable insurance coverage for your health helps you deal with the stressful situation of the sudden financial burden of medical expenses related to these conditions. It is not just about financial protection; it's about unlocking routes to a better lifestyle and well-being.

Choosing the Right Health Insurance Plan

Consider the following roadmap to choose the right health insurance plan:

1. Firstly, look for comprehensive coverage for diagnostic tests, preventive care, and medications tailored to stress-related ailments.

2. If you are a hypertension patient, assess your healthcare needs based on criteria such as your current health condition, doctor visits, and stress-related health complications (if any).

3. You should evaluate the reputation and reliability of different insurance providers in the market, take peer reviews, and check the claim settlement ratio.

4. The duration of the waiting period usually varies from 2 to 4 years for pre-existing conditions, including hypertension.

5. Compare plans and coverage and go for the one that comprehensively covers hypertension needs.

6. Finally, always disclose accurate medical information regarding hypertension, including your diet and habits such as drinking, smoking, etc.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hypertension and stress can be managed with a better lifestyle. Choosing the right health insurance plan for hypertension and stress involves researching and evaluating insurance options, such as covered ailments, waiting periods, coverage limits, premium costs, network providers, deductibles, and co-payments. Just know that you are not alone in your journey towards better health.


Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.


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