PHI with Occlusive disease
How does this condition affect your private health insurance?
Verschlusskrankheit, commonly known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), is a progressive circulatory condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most commonly the legs. This narrowing, primarily caused by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup), leads to symptoms like intermittent claudication – pain, cramping, or numbness in the legs during exercise, relieved by rest. As the disease advances, pain may occur at rest, and severe cases can lead to critical limb ischemia, causing non-healing wounds, gangrene, and potentially limb loss. Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
PKV Risk Assessment
However, some specialized PHI providers may insure you with a surcharge of up to 50%.
Impact on Your Insurance Policy
Duration of Illness (Initial)
Several months to years for symptoms to become noticeable and impactful.
Duration of Illness (Lifetime)
Chronic, lifelong disease with progressive worsening if untreated.
Cost of Treatment (Initial)
Hundreds to tens of thousands of Euros, depending on severity and initial interventions (e.g., diagnostics, medication, angioplasty).
Cost of Treatment (Lifetime)
Tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of Euros, including medication, regular follow-ups, and potential repeated interventions or surgeries.
Mortality Rate
Increased risk of cardiovascular mortality; 5-year mortality rates can be 15-30% depending on severity and presence of co-morbidities.
Risk of Secondary Damages
High (e.g., critical limb ischemia, non-healing wounds, amputation, heart attack, stroke) in approximately 20-30% of severe cases within 5 years.
Probability of Full Recovery
Very low; management focuses on symptom control and preventing progression rather than complete recovery as it is a chronic, degenerative process.
Underlying Disease Risk
High (e.g., coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia) in over 50% of cases due to shared atherosclerotic risk factors.