Experiencing a heart attack may lead to feelings of fear, trauma, sadness and anxiety. One recent study by the Australian Centre for Heart Health involving 900+ heart attack patients found that over 40% had increased levels of anxiety levels and 20% had symptoms of depression in the weeks following hospital discharge.
The same study found widespread anxiety and depression in patients a year later- one in four had significant anxiety and one in five were depressed. Left unaddressed, this can have serious health repercussions. These symptoms are often referred to as cardiac blues.
There are many risk factors linked to developing cardiac blues after a heart attack. These include pre-existing mental health conditions prior to the heart event, financial strain or other life stressors, being younger, having poor physical health or other chronic health problems, social isolation and cigarette smoking.
The circumstances around a heart attack can vary- it may arise out of the blue or be associated with a pre-existing health condition. Either way, it can be a frightening, isolating experience. Experts believe the emotional consequences of a heart attack are not yet widely understood and require greater awareness. This also needs to be taken into consideration when taking out Trauma insurance which covers the life insured in the event of a heart attack. Not only does the cover need to provide a lump sum to cover medical expenses it also needs to provide funds for the life insured should they be unable to work after suffering a trauma event (assuming no Income Protection is in place).
Whilst having a Trauma insurance policy in place doesn’t reduce the risk of suffering from a heart condition, it may help ease both the mental and financial burden that comes with suffering from a heart attack.
*The information within is general advice only, prepared without taking into account any of your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs
