Archive for January 23rd, 2008
It’s no secret that obesity is one of the leading risk factors for the onset of type 2 diabetes. Left alone, the combination of the two can be the start of a downward health slide that leads to heart disease and other major health issues.
I’ve talked to many clients over the years who have lost weight and have actually been able to quit taking medication for diabetes. Now a study shows that weight loss surgery, either gastric bypass or lap band surgery, can in fact cure diabetes. With gastric bypass surgery the return to normal glucose levels has been dramatic within just a few weeks.
From a life insurance underwriting standpoint you can be sure that, just like the gastric bypass itself, underwriters will want to see a track record before they offer up any “cured” rates. Right now underwriters, depending on the company, want to see 1-2 years of stable weight post bypass before they will truly jump on board with rates that reflect the new you. I suspect they will be show the same caution with “cured” diabetes.
Bottom line. This is great health news for those who have diabetes and aren’t able to get their weight under control in any other way. Killing two birds with one stone so to speak.
January 23rd, 2008
I have gone on before about how your doctors lack of attempt to educate patients on their health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease has led to poor treatment compliance and often has led to complications or collateral health issues that could have been avoided. It is critical that patients don’t just receive treatment, but become knowledgeable in the health problem and why the treatment is important.
The newest risk factor in heart attacks appears to be a new problem with doctors not wanting to follow guidelines for immediate treatment when a person comes to the hospital with a heart attack.
Reperfusion therapy is either balloon angioplasty or the administration of clot busting drugs to the site of blockage that is causing a heart attack. Current guidelines call for this to be the first line of treatment for patients who arrive at the hospital within 12 hours of the onset of heart attack symptoms. This protocol is apparently being followed only about 80% of the time in patients that arrive less than 3 hours after symptoms start, and less than 50% of the time if they arrive 11-12 hours after symptoms start.
Studies have conclusively shown that reperfusion therapy is critical in limiting damage to the heart.
From a life insurance underwriting viewpoint, the amount of damage to the heart is a critical factor. This is measured by the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. The longer the therapy is delayed, the greater the damage and the lower the ejection fraction.
Bottom line. Learn the symptoms of a heart attack and don’t spend hours trying to convince yourself it is something else. You may be right, but if you’re wrong, the delay in treatment can be dangerous. Go to the ER!
January 23rd, 2008
In a post yesterday we talked about stress related heart issues in women. Heart attacks just simply are not that rare in women and more should be done to be proactive about it. Lifestyle changes and regular checkups should be at the top of the list.
I ran across a site today that is all about heart disease and women. I especially liked their online heart checkup. There are two compelling reasons to go through these online evaluations. If you are up to date on all of your health related numbers, you can plug it all in and see what your heart disease risk really is. If you don’t have a clue about some of the information they ask for, you need to do some serious thinking about how seriously you take your health.
Bottom line. People who get regular checkups and know about their health outlive those who don’t. They also pay less for their life insurance.
January 23rd, 2008
