The Real Cost of Heart Disease

How Much Does Heart Disease Treatment Cost? 

It’s no secret that getting sick is expensive. But what many people fail to account for is that the spending does not stop after you leave the hospital. In fact, the hospital may only be the beginning. 

For many illnesses such as heart disease, patients will need to continuously pay for medication and treatments for the rest of their lives. With heart diseases still leading the top causes of death in the Philippines, it isn’t a matter of if you get it, but rather when. In honor of Philippine heart month, we’re giving you some insights on just how much should you expect to spend for heart diseases treatment costs?

Heart Disease: Real Cost of Treatment 

Heart disease treatment costs vary from one type of disease to another. It also depends on the severity of the disease when it is spotted. Here are the general estimated costs related to the two most common heart diseases in the Philippines: strokes and heart attacks. 

• Stroke: PHP 1.8 million 

Strokes account for 13.92% of total deaths in the Philippines each year. If you ever suffer from a stroke, expect to shell out a rough estimate of PHP 1.8 million for the first ten years from your diagnosis. This will include:

o PHP 111,400 for the initial diagnosis

o PHP 1.1 million for treatments such as testing, procedures, and hospital admission

o PHP 607,750 for the subsequent rehabilitation which may include physical therapy and maintenance medicines

• Acute heart attack: PHP 1 million 

Heart attacks, on the other hand, make up 18.7% of the total deaths in the country. If you ever suffer from an acute heart attack, estimated spend is around PHP 1 million for the first ten years after your attack. This will include:

o PHP 98,300 for the initial diagnosis

o PHP 540,000 for treatments such as testing, procedures, and hospital admission

o PHP 342,000 for the subsequent rehabilitation which may include physical therapy and maintenance medicines

These costs only amount for medical-related bills. This does not include any lost income due to being unfit to return to work, which can be another source of stress for patients.

How Can I Protect Myself from the Costs to Treat Heart Disease? 

When it comes to financial and health matters, it’s better to be prepared for the unexpected. Having a comprehensive health insurance plan can provide you, and your loved ones, a financial cushion if you ever suffer from a stroke or a heart attack. 

A health insurance plan can cover medical costs related to diagnosis, hospital admissions, testing, doctor’s fees, and medication. 

Apart from these, a health insurance plan allows you to get tested and assessed by your doctor more frequently without needing to worry about professional doctor’s fees. This gives the doctors an upper hand to spot any heart problems before they get any worse. When it comes to heart diseases, early detection is key to curing and reversing the damage present.

Make the best investment you can make for yourself and invest in a health insurance plan in the Philippines today. Talk to one of our Financial Advisors so you can find a plan that is best suited for your needs and lifestyle.