Heart Attack and Insurance

[Treschere]

Usually I have PAF which when I have an episode doesn't last for not longer than 4 hours max. Two weeks ago I had an AF and Tachycardic episode lasting from Sunday morning through to Wednesday, I carried on throughout, which in hind sight I should not have done. On Wednesday morning I had a Type 2 Heat Attack and was admitted to hospital where I stayed for eight days, having an echo cardiogram and angiogram.

I am now slowly returning to normal life, equipped with instructions about PIP and going straight to A and E if tachycardia lasts more than two hours. I am going on a trip to Germany in June , now I have to think about insurance, has anyone got advice of good companies ( hope I am allowed to ask this) as I need someone reliable really.

[Jalia]

Firstly let me say that I'm sorry to hear that your AF episodes ended in such a way.

Secondly I'm pleased that you posted this as I'm of the opinion that we should seek medical advice sooner rather than later even if this does entail A&E.

Regarding travel insurance I can recommend Saga and if you can speak to them on the phone as I have done all the better.

Good luck !

J

[Hidden in reply to Jalia]

Hi Jalia,

Totally agree with your second paragraph. When my AF mugged me in January 2010, (aged 65) and my BP dropped from 136/80 ish down to 76/50 in a few hours that's exactly what my GP organised ......... off to A & E with you ..... so in around 9 hours from the onset of a suspected 'flu bug I was in A & E with AF diagnosed and treatment started.

The speed of medical action has been instrumental in my now being (aged78) almost AF free ( only 2 events last year ) and none this year so far. The rest has been down to medication and diet. AND no surgical intervention either, i.e. Cardioversion or ablation.

Speed and accuracy is essential in diagnosis.

John

[waveylines]

So sorry to hear this....what a shock. Am glad youre on the mend. I used Eurotunnel.......they seemed unphased by a cancer diagnosis were very reasonable. Definitely worth ringing round as some of the quotes I got were astronomical!

[KMRobbo]

I use Coverforyou.com. I found them failrly cheap but I have not had so serious an issue. I have never made a claimAlso get a

Global Health Insurance card

google.com/url?sa=t&source=...

[Treschere in reply to KMRobbo]

Hi KM I already have a global card, but am guessing I need something rather more substantial now. We have cover on our bank account, however, I don't think the cost, if accepted now, would necessarily warrent using it.

[KMRobbo in reply to Treschere]

I have never had to claim on my travel health insurance, but assume if I did that it would then increase the following year. Consequently my "plan" would be to use the GHIC first if possible, especially if it was minor.

[CDreamer]

Sorry to hear of your shock and glad you are adjusting. To answer your question - I’ve always been able to get insurance from travelinsurance4medical.co.uk/ who are part of the WorldFirst Group.

However, you often get better results from any company if you phone them than using the internet if you have anything other than straightforward conditions, do your research there and then ring them because sometimes they need more information than is on the regular form on the internet.

Good luck and hope it works out well for you.

[Ppiman]

Poor you - that's something I suppose many of us fear. After reading of your experiences, I found the following complex but quite fascinating and comprehensive study which looked closely at occurrences of type 2 MI in AF sufferers. What I found surprising was that aspirin proved to be a potentially useful form of treatment when added to anticoagulant therapy.

ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161...

Steve

[aprilscot]

My bank insurance upgraded the travel cover for an extra charge when I was waiting for my ablation. It was much cheaper doing that than buying a new policy with the likes of allclear etc so I would ask your bank for a quote first

[Enable]

I always use Staysure, never had any problems with cover but never needed to make a claim.

[Buffafly]

Sorry to stray off the question, but could you clarify whether this was the type of heart attack caused by coronary artery spasm rather than by CAD? I had one of those (trying to ‘carry on’) but luckily not as bad as yours. I think it’s important to know because it’s often said that it’s best to stay at home during an AF episode but I think it should be emphasised that that does not mean ‘carrying on’! ❤️‍🩹

[Treschere in reply to Buffafly]

I think it was due to the AF, however, my understanding is that it was because I had been in Tachycardia, plus episodes of jumping from 40 to 90 and back to 50

[Buffafly in reply to Treschere]

I was told my angina is due to ‘lack of capacity’, that is, my heart can’t keep up with the stress of AF so lack of sufficient oxygen causes pain.

[Treschere in reply to Buffafly]

Yes absolutely Buffafly, I have a problem with my left ventricle not coping well with AF as well.

[Offcut]

When I had my first heart attack in 2004 plus having preexisting IAF and lung issues my holiday insurance went up very little and I got many variable quotes from a few insurances people. But after being diagnosed with IPAH in 2012 It became so expensive we could not afford to go abroad anymore! Look up Preexisting insurance companies on Google!

[Tomred]

I found post office online good and reasonable for insurance.

[Treschere]

Thank you everyone for helping and sharing.

[Treschere]

Okay so just rang Nat West and they will not cover me anymore for my travel insurance, they say I am too high a risk!!!!