Financial issues, stress may affect preventive care

"With the added stress of a recession and many patients watching their finances more closely, doctors fear preventive heart health may fall by the wayside in the coming months. Dr. Christie Ballantyne, chief of the section of atherosclerosis and vascular medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and the director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, says although patients may be trying to save money, skipping doctor visits or medications should not be an option for their budget cuts. Since stress increases blood pressure and heart strain and could cause other poor health habits, eliminating a doctor’s visit could potentially increase the risk for major damage, and in the long run could cost even more. 'The most important thing right now is to communicate all concerns to your doctor,' says Ballantyne. 'That includes cost concerns.' - Houston Business Journal