Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO D-SNP) (009): Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Visit (therapy for cardiovascular disease)

Cardiovascular disease (specifically heart disease) is the #1 cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. …And it is largely preventable.  Where it isn’t preventable, it can be better managed.  Cardiovascular disease occurs, in large part, because of modifiable risk factors such as diet, exercise, lifestyle choices (smoking, drinking, sleep, stress), blood pressure, and so forth.  Of course, there are also factors we cannot change such as genetic/family history and age that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease.  All the more important then, as we do age, that we make concerted efforts to adopt heart-healthy choices and maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.

While making these changes is always easier said than done, the first step toward success is knowing precisely what these changes are and getting ideas on how to implement them into everyday life.  We don’t know what we don’t know, and a provider can help with that.  During a cardiovascular disease risk reduction visit, the provider will check blood pressure and educate on what the numbers mean and the impact they have.  The provider may encourage taking blood pressure at home, recording them, and reporting back.  The provider will provide tips on getting adequate activity/exercise, as well as heart-healthy eating, and may make a referral to a nutritionist, dietician, or a nurse specializing in health and wellness.  If appropriate, a daily baby aspirin* may also be discussed.

This visit includes intensive behavioral therapy for cardiovascular disease and is separate and distinct from the annual wellness visit (see separate benefit for Annual Wellness Visit).

*A baby aspirin is an 83 mg dose of aspirin.  Aspirin is a platelet aggregate inhibitor; it does not “thin” the blood but makes platelets slicker, so they don’t stick together (clot) as easily.  Aspirin therapy is used to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other blood flow problems in high-risk persons.