Listen to Your Heart
Some medical needs are easy to spot. If you gash your hand or start sneezing, it’s time to go to the doctor. Preventive care is important because it addresses long-term medical issues you might not know you have.
One example is coronary artery disease—the leading cause of death in the United States. Over time, cholesterol builds up in your arteries and decreases the blood flow to your heart. With a heart-conscious diet and exercise, symptoms can improve. Leaving your heart alone, however, leads to a higher risk of stroke and heart attack.
The most common signs of coronary artery disease are:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Light-headedness
Positive lifestyle changes decrease your risk of coronary artery disease. To limit your risk, choose foods low in fat, sodium and cholesterol, and eat plenty of vegetables. Cardio-intensive exercise, such as running or jogging, should be on your schedule at least three times per week. And, as always, quit smoking.
Sometimes, care can’t wait. If you experience chest pain for more than five minutes, seek emergency care IMMEDIATELY and call 9-1-1. The symptoms could be signs of a heart attack.
FAQs
What are the acceptable reasons for taking a loan from my Annuity Fund account?
In certain cases, you can take out a loan from your Annuity Fund account. Reasons to take out a loan include:
- Buying or fixing a principal residence
- Medical bills that are not reimbursed by medical insurance
- Educational expenses (tuition) at an accredited school, including vocational school, at any level
- Expenses incurred for the legal adoption of a child
- Funeral expenses incurred because of the death of your Spouse or a dependent child
You are eligible to apply for a loan if you are actively employed by a Contributing Employer, and you have been so employed for at least three years. You may have only one loan outstanding at a time. An outstanding loan balance (active or defaulted) must be paid in full prior to applying for a subsequent loan (except those loans that were defaulted prior to January 1, 1996). The maximum loan amount is the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of your account balance.
For more information, please go to the Annuity Fund section of this site.