Those who require long-term warfarin should wear a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or similar alert tag at all times. If an accident occurs and the person is too ill to communicate, a medical alert tag will help responders provide appropriate care.
Medical IDs for Heart Disease
The confidence to live with heart disease
If your heart is healthy and operating correctly you probably rarely think about it. But if you or your loved one are living with heart disease, it may be the only thing on your mind – and you are not alone. Heart disease is the leading cause of death across the globe, and according to the American Heart Association, nearly half of American adults are living with some form of heart disease.
For those living with heart disease, a medical emergency can happen with little notice. The onset of a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening condition can be rapid and you may suddenly find yourself in need of assistance. Depending on the situation, you may not be able to communicate with first responders. In addition, many people with heart disease or implanted devices take blood thinners, which can cause excessive bleeding and is vital information for a first responder to know.
That’s why wearing a medical ID for heart disease is critical.
How MedicAlert protects those with heart disease
One thing you shouldn’t worry about is what could happen if there’s an emergency. MedicAlert’s protection plans offer benefits that extend beyond the ID, providing safety and peace of mind for people living with heart disease, their families and caregivers.
24/7 Emergency Response
Our team provides first responders the information they need to provide fast, accurate care.
Digital Health Profile
All your vital information, all in one place for you and your caregiver.
Emergency Contact Notification
In an emergency, we connect families so that no one is alone in a crisis.
Patient Instructions
Share the information that’s important to your care, such as use of rescue medications or contraindication for tests like MRIs.
Pair a medical ID for heart disease with the protection plan that’s right for you.
What is heart disease?
Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is a general term for diseases that affect the cardiovascular system. Some of the most common and dangerous forms of heart diseases are the following:
- Coronary artery disease – Also known as coronary heart disease and ischemic heart disease, this is the most common form of heart disease. It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels of the heart. This causes them to narrow or become fully blocked, which can cause a heart attack and may eventually lead to heart failure.
- Heart failure – Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart becomes too weak to properly pump blood and oxygen around the body. This is typically caused by a preexisting health condition, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity.
- Stroke – A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted by a blockage or a burst blood vessel, causing brain cells to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Depending on the severity of the stroke and how long it takes to receive medical attention, stroke causes varying degrees of long-term brain damage or disability.
Other types of heart disease include heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), congenital heart defects, heart infections, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), and heart valve diseases.
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
The three primary risk factors for heart disease are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all Americans have at least one of these key risk factors.
In addition to these three primary factors, there are several other health conditions and lifestyle choices that increase the risk of heart disease, such as:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Poor diet (especially one high in cholesterol, salt, saturated fat, and trans fat)
- High levels of stress and anxiety
- Family history
- Old age
Although some of these factors are unchangeable, many can be controlled by lifestyle changes. If you or someone you love is at risk for heart disease, consider speaking to a physician and taking action to reduce your risk factors.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
The signs of heart disease vary depending on the specific condition, but common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Dizziness/lightheadedness
- Nausea or cold sweat
- Pain or discomfort in the arm
What to engrave on medical IDs for heart disease:
MedicAlert offers free custom engraving on all our heart disease bracelets and medical ID products. The engraving on medical IDs for heart disease should include any critical medical information that can protect and save your life if you are in an accident or have a medical emergency, for example:
- Your specific heart condition
- Medications, including if you are taking blood thinners
- Allergies
- Implanted devices
- Other medical conditions
- If you have any restrictions on diagnostic tests (such as NO MRI)
- Any additional medical information that needs to be communicated to first responders
Sample engraving. Consult our team if you need help engraving your medical ID for heart disease.
How is heart disease diagnosed?
Diagnosing heart disease starts with a physical examination and an assessment of personal and family medical history. Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, your physician may order tests such as blood tests and chest X-rays, electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG), exercise stress tests, MRIs, and CTs. These results will help your physician gain a clear understanding of your heart health and provide you with a diagnosis and treatment options.
As with any medical condition, you should consult your doctor for specific instructions on managing your condition.
Are there medical IDs for people with pacemakers or other cardiac devices?
Yes! MedicAlert offers a wide selection of medical alert jewelry for people with pacemakers. Implanted medical devices can affect patient testing and treatment options, so pacemaker bracelets are incredibly important. Anyone with an implanted cardiac device such as a pacemaker, defibrillator (ICD), LVAD, watchman implant and even cardiac stents should wear a medical ID at all times. With a MedicAlert ID bracelet and membership, first responders can easily contact MedicAlert team members to confirm health details including your implant’s model, serial number, and more.
Since 1924 the American Heart Association has dedicated their work to research and advocacy for those living with heart disease.
How medical IDs for heart disease combined with MedicAlert Membership provide peace of mind
MedicAlert ID bracelets can speak for you when you can’t. If you are taking blood thinners or have an implanted medical device such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, LVAD, or cardiac stents, those caring for you need to know right away. By customizing a MedicAlert heart condition bracelet with your health condition, relevant medication, allergies, and other pertinent health information, you know that first responders will be able to provide you with the best possible care.
Benefits of a MedicAlert ID and membership for people living with heart disease:
- We’re your voice: If you can’t speak for yourself, your ID informs others about your heart disease, implanted device, and any medications you are taking. This is especially important if you take blood thinners as they will affect any emergency treatment you receive.
- 24/7 emergency protection: Our team will relay your critical medical information to first responders in an emergency, no matter where or when it happens.
- Stay connected: No one should be alone in their moment of need. MedicAlert will reach out to your emergency contacts if you are unable to do so.
- Enjoy life, we’ve got you covered: Enjoy the freedom to live your life with cardiovascular disease, knowing that MedicAlert is there for you when you need us most.
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information in this article is presented for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.