St. Vincents health care workers in Bridgeport

St. Vincents health care workers in Bridgeport

Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

St. Vincents health care workers in Bridgeport

St. Vincents health care workers in Bridgeport

Opinion: How to save billions of health care dollars

The United States health care spending is getting out of control. Even though more citizens have health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act, the premiums and deductibles are so costly that many people cannot afford to use the insurance they have. The inflated costs of pharmaceuticals, hospital care and medical equipment technology have made taking care of yourself almost impossible.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death and the second-leading cause of disability in the country. The U.S. is responsible for 28.4 percent of the global spending, about $30.7 billion per year. Over recent years, the number of Americans suffering from heart failure has grown. In addition, 50 percent of people diagnosed with heart failure will die within five years, making hospital readmissions for patients with heart failure a national focus, as hospitals now must deal with an economic penalty for someone who is readmitted within 30 days of discharge.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Connecticut. Many different problems can occur and often the result is a heart attack or stroke. The most common cause of heart attack and stroke is a buildup of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels called atherosclerosis. In heart failure, the muscle may become damaged and weakened. This leads to a heart that cannot pump blood efficiently to the rest of the body. Over time, the heart cannot keep up with the normal demands from the body. Almost all diseases of the heart will ultimately result in the diagnosis of heart failure. Most common symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness and swelling in the legs. The key to preventing heart failure is to reduce risk factors, including unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and tobacco use.

If the average American adult could find a way to be active for 30 minutes, five days a week, the savings could be huge. Just a 5 percent decrease in spending due to heart failure would result in a $1.5 billion savings. But thats not all. Improving the health of Americans would lower risk of stroke, diabetes, hypertension, dementia and cancer, just to name a few. Most importantly, this increase in activity will improve peoples quality of life. The financial implications would be enormous.

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of aerobic activity. But this doesnt necessarily mean going to the gym and pumping iron. Activity can be walking, swimming, dancing or even yard work. It also doesnt have to be 30 consecutive minutes of activity. It could be walking for 10 minutes three times a day. At first glance, it can seem like a lot. However, once you take a step back and think about your day-to-day activities, it becomes much more reasonable.

In 2017, heart disease was by far the leading cause of death in the state of Connecticut. Almost half of all deaths were attributed to heart disease. This is an ongoing problem that has no end in sight. The solution is not going to be easy. We need to see more lobbying for insurance companies to pay for preventative care such as gym memberships, fitness watches, exercise equipment, physical therapists and dieticians.

Its true that cost sharing, co-pays and deductibles are necessary to prevent overutilization of health care. It makes the insured more responsible for their health and well-being. But out-of-pocket costs have become increasingly difficult for people to afford. They are unlikely to make good decisions and pay for a healthy lifestyle if their budget is tight. Higher upfront costs to the insurer for these preventative measures will save the health system and insurance companies billions in the long run.

James Halbert is a cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialist with Yale New Haven Health.

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Opinion: How to save billions of health care dollars - The Advocate