What Qualifies as a Heart Attack for Insurance?
Medical Definition (Myocardial Infarction)
For trauma insurance purposes, a heart attack must meet specific clinical criteria:
Required Evidence:
- • Elevated cardiac enzymes (troponin/CK-MB)
- • ECG changes showing heart damage
- • Clinical symptoms consistent with MI
- • Hospital admission and treatment
Types Covered:
- • STEMI (ST-elevation MI)
- • NSTEMI (Non-ST-elevation MI)
- • Type 1 spontaneous MI
- • Type 2 secondary MI (most cases)
What's NOT Usually Covered
- • Elevated troponin without other evidence
- • Exercise stress test-induced changes
- • Cardiac catheterization-related enzyme elevation
- • Angina or chest pain without definitive MI
Survival Periods by Insurance Provider
| Insurance Provider | Survival Period | Additional Requirements | Claim Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIA | 30 days | Specialist confirmation | 92% |
| Southern Cross | 30 days | Hospital treatment required | 89% |
| Fidelity Life | 30 days | ECG and enzyme evidence | 87% |
| Partners Life | 28 days | Cardiologist confirmation | 91% |
| Chubb | 30 days | Detailed medical records | 88% |
Why Survival Periods?
Survival periods ensure the heart attack was severe enough to warrant a trauma insurance payout and allow for proper medical assessment and recovery evaluation.
Real Heart Attack Claim Examples
Successful Claim: Major STEMI
John, 52, Business Owner
- • Massive heart attack during exercise
- • Rushed to hospital, emergency angioplasty
- • $300,000 AIA trauma insurance policy
- • Survived 30+ days, full claim approved
Claim process:
- • Day 1: Heart attack, hospital admission
- • Day 35: Claim submitted with all records
- • Day 45: Cardiologist report requested
- • Day 52: Full $300,000 payout approved
Successful Claim: NSTEMI
Helen, 48, Teacher
- • Non-ST elevation heart attack
- • High troponin levels, ECG changes
- • $200,000 Southern Cross policy
- • Required additional medical evidence
Financial impact:
- • $40,000 emergency treatment costs
- • $85,000 lost teaching income (18 months)
- • $35,000 cardiac rehabilitation
- • $40,000 lifestyle modifications
Declined Claim: Insufficient Evidence
Mark, 45, Engineer
- • Chest pain during stress test
- • Slightly elevated enzymes
- • No ECG changes or other evidence
- • Claim declined - didn't meet MI criteria
Why it was declined:
- • Exercise-induced enzyme elevation
- • No spontaneous cardiac event
- • Normal ECG and echocardiogram
- • No hospital admission required
Heart Attack Statistics in New Zealand
5,500+
Heart attacks annually in NZ
1 in 20
New Zealanders will have a heart attack
85%
Survival rate to hospital discharge
Risk Factors in New Zealand:
- • High rates of diabetes (6% of adults)
- • Hypertension (27% of adults)
- • Smoking (13% of adults)
- • Obesity (32% of adults)
- • Family history and genetics
Average Treatment Costs:
- • Emergency treatment: $15,000-$35,000
- • Angioplasty/stenting: $25,000-$45,000
- • Bypass surgery: $75,000-$150,000
- • Cardiac rehabilitation: $8,000-$15,000
- • Ongoing medications: $2,000+ annually
Maximizing Your Heart Attack Coverage
✅ Best Practices
- • Full disclosure: Declare all heart conditions during application
- • Regular check-ups: Monitor heart health with your GP
- • Keep records: Maintain copies of all medical tests
- • Quick claiming: Submit claims as soon as possible after survival period
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
- • Insufficient evidence: Ensure all medical tests are documented
- • Pre-existing conditions: Heart problems before policy start date
- • Survival period: Claims invalid if don't survive required period
- • Delayed claiming: Some policies have time limits for claims
Protect Against Heart Attack Costs
Get comprehensive heart attack coverage through trauma insurance. Compare survival periods and claim requirements across all NZ providers.
Compare Heart Attack Coverage