The ColoHealth Health & Wealth Newsletter
February 2026
Vol. 29, Issue 2

Heart Health Month Special: Preventive Care That Pays

February is American Heart Health Month.

This year, let’s talk about prevention strategies that don’t just protect your heart—they also protect your bank account.

Heart disease kills more than 600,000 Americans every year. Yet up to 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable through lifestyle changes and early intervention.

Here’s how to take control of your heart health while maximizing your HSA benefits.

Know Your Numbers—And Get Paid to Do It

Prevention starts with knowing where you stand.

Key screenings include blood pressure checks, cholesterol panels, and blood glucose testing. Most insurance plans cover annual wellness visits at no cost, and many health sharing plans include preventive care benefits as well.

HSA Tip: Even if your plan covers these screenings, you can use HSA funds for any out-of-pocket costs. Blood pressure monitors and glucose testing kits are also HSA-eligible purchases.

A 52-year-old client discovered he had Stage 1 hypertension during a routine screening.

By catching it early and making lifestyle changes, he avoided costly medications and potential complications down the road.

The $100 Test That Could Save Your Life

Coronary calcium scoring is one of the most underutilized heart health tools available.

This CT scan measures calcium buildup in your arteries, giving you a precise picture of your heart disease risk. The test typically costs $75-$200 and takes less than 10 minutes.

Studies show that people who see their calcium scores are twice as likely to start taking preventive action.

Research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that this simple test improved risk prediction beyond traditional methods.

For HSA Users: Calcium scoring is an HSA-eligible expense when deemed medically necessary by your physician.

Ask your doctor if this test makes sense for you, especially if you’re over 40 with risk factors like family history, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

Exercise Equipment Your HSA Will Cover

Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for preventing heart disease.

Studies show that people who meet recommended exercise guidelines reduce their cardiovascular death risk by 22% to 38%, with even greater benefits when exercise levels increase.

Physical inactivity alone accounts for approximately 35% of coronary heart disease deaths.

Here’s what many people don’t know: fitness equipment and gym memberships can be HSA-eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your doctor.

If your physician prescribes exercise to treat or prevent a specific condition like hypertension or obesity, you can use HSA funds for:

Home exercise equipment
Gym memberships
Fitness classes
Personal training sessions

Your doctor simply needs to write a letter stating that exercise is medically necessary for your condition. Keep this documentation with your HSA records.

Smart Supplementation on Your HSA Dime

Certain supplements can support heart health when used appropriately.

Omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, and magnesium have strong evidence supporting their cardiovascular benefits.

With an LMN from your doctor, these supplements become HSA-eligible expenses.

Important: Don’t self-prescribe supplements. Work with your healthcare provider to determine which supplements, if any, make sense for your situation.

Some can interact with medications or aren’t appropriate for certain conditions.

Eat Real Food for Heart Health

Your grocery bill isn’t HSA-eligible, but your approach to eating can dramatically impact your heart health costs.

The conversation around heart-healthy eating has shifted significantly.

The recently released government food pyramid now emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods over the grain-heavy recommendations of the past.

The new guidelines prioritize nutrient-dense real foods like grass-fed beef, eggs, wild-caught fish, avocados, and fresh fruit.

These foods provide essential nutrients, healthy fats, and protein that support cardiovascular health without the blood sugar spikes that come from excessive grain consumption.

Research increasingly supports this approach. Studies show that healthy fats from sources like avocados, fatty fish, and olive oil support heart health, while highly processed vegetable oils and refined grains may contribute to inflammation.

Focus on Real, Whole Foods:

Prioritize quality proteins like grass-fed beef, pasture-raised eggs, and wild-caught fish
Include healthy fats from avocados, olive oil, and fatty fish
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
Minimize processed foods, refined grains, and industrial seed oils
Choose whole foods over packaged and processed alternatives

What This Means for Your Heart:

The shift away from low-fat, grain-heavy diets reflects new understanding about heart health.

Healthy fats don’t cause heart disease—inflammation, blood sugar dysregulation, and processed foods do.

By focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods, you’re giving your body what it needs to maintain healthy blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and support overall cardiovascular function.

Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs

Chest pain, shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue aren’t normal.

These symptoms deserve immediate medical attention.

Heart attacks in women often present differently than in men, with symptoms like jaw pain, nausea, and back pain rather than classic chest pressure.

Early intervention can prevent permanent heart damage and save significant medical expenses. If you’re experiencing concerning symptoms, don’t wait—get evaluated immediately.

Your Heart Health Action Plan

Here’s what to do this month:

✔ Schedule your annual wellness visit if you haven’t had one in the past year

✔ Get your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose checked

✔ Ask your doctor if coronary calcium scoring makes sense for you

✔ Request a Letter of Medical Necessity if you want to use HSA funds for fitness equipment or supplements

✔ Start incorporating more whole, unprocessed foods into your meals

✔ Consider buying an HSA-eligible blood pressure monitor for home monitoring

Prevention is always cheaper than treatment. Early detection and lifestyle changes can help you avoid costly medical interventions while dramatically reducing your risk.

Your HSA makes many of these preventive measures even more affordable by allowing you to pay with pre-tax dollars.

Questions about maximizing your HSA for health expenses? That’s what we’re here for. Reach out anytime.

Check out our latest blog posts:

To Your Health and Wealth,

signature-wiley

Wiley P. Long III
President- ColoHealth

Author of Health Sharing: The Authoritative Guide to America’s Fastest-Growing Health Insurance Alternative

The ColoHealth Health & Wealth Newsletter is published monthly and emailed to subscribers at no charge. Subscribe now to stay on top of the critical information you need to know about health insurance, healthshare plans and managing your finances to achieve financial security.