Why wear a medical bracelet if you have a heart condition?

February 15, 2023

Why wear a medical bracelet if you have a heart condition?

If you have a heart condition, wearing a medical bracelet can help you communicate your condition to others, and may save your life during an emergency.

 

What is a heart condition?

A heart condition is any disorder that affects the heart. Sometimes the term "heart disease" is used narrowly as a synonym for coronary artery disease. But there are actually a wide range of conditions that affect the heart. And the term cardiovascular disease includes any disease of the heart or blood vessels.

Here are some of the heart conditions and cardiovascular diseases, which are commonly engraved on a medical alert bracelet:

  • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – When the pressure in your blood vessels is unusually high. If left untreated, it can scar and damage the arteries, which can lead to heart disease.
  • Arrhythmia – An irregular heartbeat, which means the heart is out of rhythm. An example of this is atrial fibrillation. This is when the upper chambers of your heart contract in an unusual way, causing your heart to beat more than 400 times a minute. Read more about the different types of Arrhythmia.
  • Congestive Heart Failure – This occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can also build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Read more about heart failure.
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) - The most common but serious heart condition where the blood vessels supplying the heart are narrowed or blocked.
  • Congenital Heart Disease - One or more problems with the heart's structure that exist since birth. This can change the way blood flows through your heart.
  • Valvular Heart Disease - When any valve in the heart has damage or is diseased. Read more on the causes of valvular heart disease.
  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) - This is a condition that can make someone feel faint or dizzy. It happens when the autonomic nervous system (ANS) doesn't work as it should.
  • Implant Use – A pacemaker sends electrical pulses to the heart to keep it beating regularly and not too slowly. Other implants such as an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) or Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator (S-ICD) are able to perform cardioversion, defibrillation, and pacing of the heart. They are capable of correcting many life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Read more on the different types of cardiac devices.
  • Stroke – Having a stroke increase a person’s risk for cardiac trouble. These factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and heart arrhythmias. Read more on how a stroke affects the heart.

The most common type of heart condition is coronary heart disease, which affects the blood flow to the heart. People with this condition are more susceptible to a heart attack, so wearing a medical bracelet can inform emergency workers or the people around you of your condition.

Knowing the specific type of heart condition is important as it helps medical professionals perform treatment more quickly and effectively.

 

How med bracelet can help heart conditions

 

How a medical bracelet can support you in an emergency?

A medical bracelet is designed to alert people of your medical conditions or any other concerns you might have that may be relevant to your care in the event you become unconscious or otherwise incapacitated. Medical alert jewellery is conveniently placed at your pulse points at your wrist and neck, so when first responders check your pulse, they will automatically find out what heart condition you have or what medication you take, and the right treatment can be administered quickly. It is also a good place to list an emergency contact number, so first responders can get in touch with your family or loved ones.

 

Do I need a medical bracelet if I have a heart condition?

 

Don't mix heart condition meds

 

Negative reaction with anticoagulants.

Some forms of antibiotics react negatively with blood-thinning medications, such as anticoagulants, and can actually increase your risk of bleeding out in an emergency. If this happens, it’s important to know how to stop it; usually, applying pressure on the wound helps to stop the bleeding. Read more on how to stop bleeding when on blood thinners, such as Warfarin.

Wearing a medical bracelet can inform emergency workers that you are on anticoagulants or other blood-thinning medication, so they can provide you with an alternate form of antibiotics that will ensure it won’t have a negative impact. Listing specific blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, apixaban or rivaroxaban, can also alert the emergency services to potential internal bleeding.

 

medical bracelets let first responders know of pacemaker

 

Implants may be required.

Coronary Heart Disease may require a procedure to have a coronary stent placed into your artery to help blood circulation to the heart. Coronary stents are often paired with blood thinning medication, which needs to be known to first responders immediately as previously mentioned, because they can cause a negative reaction with some forms of antibiotics.

Furthermore, if you have a pacemaker or ICD implanted, it’s important to let first responders know – particularly if it’s an older model where there could be interference with an MRI (that might be done in an emergency). Learn more on how a pacemaker works and its risks, as well as how some types of pacemaker cause problems with an MRI.

 

med bracelets for high blood pressure

 

Let others know you have high blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure, it may be due to your ongoing heart condition such as heart disease. However, in an emergency situation, medical workers may not know this. It is important to know that a person habitually has high blood pressure, or it is because of a long-term medical condition, and that it may not necessarily be associated with the current situation.

Wearing a medical bracelet with this information engraved onto it allows medical workers to know why your blood pressure is high and speed up effective treatment instead of wasting time figuring out why your blood pressure has spiked.

 

what to engrave of heart conditions medical bracelet

 

What should I engrave on my heart conditions bracelet?

Your bracelet might state a diagnosis, so your symptoms are instantly recognised or it could give a directive such as “Call (Name) on +44123 456789”, so your family can be notified of what has happened and advise doctors on your behalf.

As a guideline, your bracelet should say “On Anticoagulants” if you take any blood thinning medication. Many people engrave the specific medication, such as “On Apixaban”, “On Rivaroxaban” or “On Warfarin”, if their medication type is stable and unlikely to change. Your medical bracelet should also state the type of heart condition you have, so it explains your symptoms when you cannot. You may also wish to include your name, any other conditions you may have, details of any allergies and where to find your medication.

We recommend that all medical bracelets or necklaces include a medical symbol. This means that if you become unwell and are unable to communicate, people that check your pulse can find your medical alert bracelet and information about your heart condition. Both the Caduceus and Star of Life symbols are internationally recognised, and they are a fast signal for where to find your medical information. Helping others to understand your condition means you can receive the right treatment, quickly.

 

Where to go for more support?

If you have a heart condition it is important to connect with others who have the same condition as they are likely to share similar experiences. Here are some links which give you more information, or a place to connect with others:

Have a read about how to prevent a heart attack.

Learn more on heart disease.

Think you might have Arrhythmia? Have a read of this article for more information.

If your child was born with a heart defect, heart.org explains the risks in more detail.

If you’ve just gotten a pacemaker fitted, here are some tips on how to take care of yourself afterwards. 

Potsuk.org is a charity for anyone living with POTS. They can help manage your condition better, and give opportunities to connect with others.

Heartfoundation.org has some tips on how to adjust to daily life with atrial fibrillation.

 

Conclusion:

If you have a heart condition, wearing a medical alert bracelet can allow you to feel like yourself again. You can choose your own style, design and engraving and let others know how to help you in an emergency. Equally, friends and family members are reassured by the fact that they can keep in contact with you.

If you have any questions about what engraving would support you best, or finding a medical bracelet design that works with your lifestyle, just drop us a line on help@butlerandgrace.co





Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in News from Butler & Grace - medical and personalised jewellery

Medical Bracelets for Beekeeping
Medical Bracelets for Beekeeping

March 01, 2023

Beekeeping is a rewarding hobby for all ages, with so many benefits for your taste buds … and the environment! Although, beekeepers are at a higher risk of being stung by a bee; it is a small price to pay when doing the thing they love. In this blog, we would like to share the importance of wearing a medical bracelet whilst beekeeping and how it may save your life during an emergency.  

View full article →

The Meanings Behind Gemstones in Jewellery: A Pretty Face or Actually Healing?
The Meanings Behind Gemstones in Jewellery: A Pretty Face or Actually Healing?

February 02, 2023

Why not delve into the history behind each gemstone? We discuss a few gemstones including rose quartz, hematite, amazonite, and rhodochrosite, with everyone in mind. Everyone is different, and some may experience these gemstones’ healing properties, and some may not, but each gemstone has its own unique history ...

View full article →

Why wear a medical bracelet for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?
Why wear a medical bracelet for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?

January 18, 2023

Ehlers Danlos Syndromes are a group of conditions that can cause supple joints and stretchy, fragile skin. Support from professionals like physiotherapists can help you manage your symptoms. In this blog we will share the importance of wearing a medical bracelet for your EDS and how it may help you in an emergency.  

View full article →

Welcome to Butler & Grace. We offer products and services for sale under these terms and conditions, which apply to every order, and can only be changed with the express written consent of Butler & Grace Ltd.

It is important that you take the time to read them carefully. They will be updated from time to time without notice (current version is 1.03), and you can always access the current version of the terms on this webpage.

If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, please contact us at hello@butlerandgrace.co

 

Explanation of Terminology

Privacy / Cookie Policy

Intellectual Property Rights

Moderation of Content

Variation of Specification

Prices and Payment

Delivery

Care of Jewellery

Quality and Performance

Returns

Alterations and Repairs

Love It Guarantee

Complaints

Force Majuere

Jurisdiction

 

Explanation of Terminology

 

Privacy / Cookie Policy

 

Intellectual Property Rights

 

Moderation of Content

 

Variation of Specification

 

Prices and Payment

 

Delivery

 

Care of Jewellery

 

Quality and Performance

  

Returns

 

Alterations and Repairs

 

Love It Guarantee

 

Complaints

 

Force Majeure

  

Jurisdiction