Feb 12
13
Valentines Day: A critical day to talk about Insurance
With Valentine’s Day again upon us, heart-shaped cards and gifts fill shop windows all around the country. So it’s not surprising that February was chosen as National Heart Month in the UK.
National Heart Month aims to raise awareness about heart disease, as it’s still the biggest cause of death in the UK.*
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is what happens when the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries. In 2009, 11,502 people aged between 35 and 64 died in the UK from CHD, proving it’s not just a disease that affects the elderly.**
Living with heart disease…
Whilst the number of people who die from heart disease in the UK is shocking, perhaps even more so is the fact that there are an estimated 2.6 million people living with the condition – and angina (the most common symptom of coronary heart disease) affects 2 million people.* According to the British Heart Foundation, every day 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility, many of which are partners, friends or family members, so heart disease doesn’t just affect those with the disease.***
Protect the heart – Protect the finances…
We all know that making some lifestyle choices can hugely affect the risk of getting coronary heart disease. And, whilst you may not feel comfortable being a ‘lifestyle consultant’ to the people you know, you can open their eyes to how poor health might impact their finances, especially where family members have to take on caring responsibilities. Critical illness cover can provide much needed financial support for a range of heart-related conditions. The critical illnesses covered will vary by provider and policy, but some of the following conditions can be covered^:
- Aorta Graft Surgery
- Cardiomyopathy
- Coronary Artery By-Pass Grafts
- Heart Attack
- Heart Valve Replacement or Repair
- Open Heart Surgery
Ok; so maybe it’s not the most romantic topic of conversation for Valentine’s Day, but hopefully the above will inspire your thoughts about your loved ones and protecting their financial future. And, if you’re looking for an unusual Valentines Day gift, could Critical Illness Cover be the new way to say… ‘I love you’ ?
* The British Heart Foundation website – http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/statistics/mortality.aspx
** The British Heart Foundation – BHF Trends in Coronary Heart Disease 1961-2011 – available at http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/statistics.aspx
*** The British Heart Foundation website – http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/recovery/caring-for-a-heart-patient.aspx
^ Your policy documents should contain the details of the critical illnesses covered, the definition of each condition, and any exclusions within the policy. Talk to your Policy Provider or Financial Adviser if you are unsure or require any further information about your policy.
