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This is not for the weak of hearts, but then again, it is about them so they should also be reading this. Did you know that a typical heart attack patient would spend about $45,000 to $50,000 just to have another shot at living much longer? Heart attack and costs of treating it are real and they are continuously increasing.
The costs of medical treatment of cardiovascular disease, more specifically of heart attack victims become more and more expensive by the year. This is especially troubling because so many people experience the impact of these costs. With this disease being the primary cause of death in the United States, it is likely going to be the main cause of death too, in most countries around the world.
Here is a rundown of what the expenses of heart attack medical services look like:
- First, the general ambulance service since a great percentage of this situation happens outside the hospital. Depending on how far the location is to the hospital, the fee for the service will be from $800 to $1500.
- Second cost covers the ambulance medical support, which will aid the patient until he reaches the hospital. Add around $100 for this in your tab.
- The next, which is the emergency room the hospital in your locale will have the following breakdown of costs
- General Services - about $750 - Emergency Room Professional fees - about $250 - Laboratory fees - $500 - EKG - $300 - Other miscellaneous supplies, X-ray, drugs, etc. - Approximate total thus far, $2500
- The major cost will be collected from the ICU stay. This is needed so the doctors would find out what needs to be done. A day in the ICU will be around $850.
- That covers the basic expenses. If the hospital doesn't have the medical facilities and the heart specialists that are needed to treat heart attack patients, they need to be transported. A plane or helicopter ride to a major hospital will burn the pocket because the cost will be another $5000 to $6,000.
- At this point the total cost is around $10,000. The next few expenses will be much higher.
- The heart center will have all the facilities and professionals necessary to attend to heart attack patients. The stay in this major hospital will cost $22,000 to $25,000 as they try to treat the heart attack patient. The fees do not include yet the surgeon's professional fee, which is likely to be in the thousands mark. An approximate total cost now is $40,000.
- If the heavens are smiling and the heart problem can be treated with Coronary Angioplasty, then the next cost covers chemical or treadmill test, which is approximately $5,000 additional.
Examining everything carefully, you will find that the costs will be anywhere from $45,000 to $50,000. Should there be any other problems, and the Coronary Angioplasty fails, an open-heart surgery will be necessary. This would drastically increase the costs, doubling the expenses.
If those weren't enough to convince us all, what would? Our health is definitely wealth. Prevention is still the best cure of all so in order to avoid such financial crisis in the making, watch what you eat. A lifestyle change would also be necessary - smoking and drinking should be put in check. Regular exercises would definitely help. These can help eliminate the nightmare that is attached to heart attack and costs of medical services.
