According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of all individuals in the United States (45%) have excessive blood pressure (hypertension). Living with high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, making persons with this condition more difficult to insure. However, as long as you keep your illness under control with medication and a healthy diet, you should be able to acquire life insurance.
High blood pressure factors that impact life insurance
Despite the fact that each case is unique, there are some commonalities in how life insurance companies handle various forms of high blood pressure disorders. These patterns can aid patients with high blood pressure in anticipating and preparing for questions regarding their underlying medical conditions during the application process.
- Blood pressure ranges: In 2017, the American College of Cardiology announced new medical guidelines that drastically reduced the criteria of high blood pressure from 140/90 to 130/80. The closer your blood pressure is near 120/80 in terms of life insurance underwriting, the less you’ll likely spend for coverage.
- Age plays a role: Older insurance applicants those in their 50s and 60s or older may be treated more leniently when it comes to rates linked with high blood pressure. Even if their blood pressures are high, many life insurers will provide normal coverage to this group.
- High blood pressure will be taken into account by life insurance providers in the context of your general health. Exercise, nutrition, and weight will be evaluated as part of your lifestyle, and positive findings can help you avoid developing high blood pressure. Non-smoking, in particular, will almost always be a major factor in assessing risk.
Any favorable motivations for writing a policy are often sought by life insurance firms. Take the time to make a detailed list of all of your healthy practices and favorable medical conditions before applying.
Types of life insurance for those with high blood pressure
Those with high blood pressure can, for the most part, buy the same insurance as others, especially if they are in generally good condition. The fundamental distinction between a policyholder with high blood pressure and one with normal readings would be reflected in the premiums.
Whole life insurance
Whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that covers the insured for the rest of their lives. The policy offers a guaranteed death payout as well as the ability to accumulate cash value over time. Because of the policy’s permanence and expected payout, this policy is more expensive than term insurance, and it may be considerably more expensive for someone with high blood pressure. However, depending on your circumstances, the cost of ensuring financial safety for the rest of your life may be worth it.
Term life insurance
Term life insurance is not permanent; rather, it protects an insured for a set period of time (generally between 10 and 30 years), frequently when the need for financial protection for dependents is greatest. When the primary purpose is to leave a specific sum for loved ones to pay unforeseen funeral expenses or outstanding debts such as student loans, term life insurance may be a reasonable alternative for persons with high blood pressure. Premiums may be increased, like with other life insurance policies, depending on the severity of the insured’s blood pressure readings.
Final expense insurance
Final expense insurance is a limited-scope policy designed to help surviving families with funeral and burial costs, as well as additional expenses. If whole life or term coverage was not previously secured, this sort of insurance may be the sole option for some people, particularly if they are on the higher end of the high-blood-pressure spectrum or have concurrent medical illnesses. One thing to keep in mind is that most final expense policies have significantly lower limits than other types of insurance, usually between $5,000 and $25,000.
Is high blood pressure a pre-existing conditions for health insurance?
It is critical to comprehend what it means to have pre-existing medical illnesses or disorders. A pre-existing medical disease or condition occurs when an individual has a medical condition or disease prior to purchasing a health insurance coverage. This could be anything from cancer or diabetes to slightly less dangerous illnesses like high blood pressure, asthma, or acne.
Health insurance companies are rarely willing to cover those who have a pre-existing medical condition. This is because such persons are more likely to require medical help and hence constitute a greater financial risk to the insurance provider. As a result, health insurance companies will be cautious to sell policies to people who have a pre-existing medical condition. It is difficult for such people to obtain proper insurance coverage. Their insurance coverage may be cancelled, the insurer may refuse to reimburse medical expenditures, or, in the worst-case scenario, insurers may refuse to provide health insurance at all.
Can you get life insurance if you have high blood pressure?
Because most people with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, don’t have any symptoms, it’s considered a silent condition. In fact, you’re more than likely to learn you have high blood pressure while visiting a doctor for an unrelated illness or an annual exam.
However, not experiencing symptoms has the disadvantage of allowing high blood pressure to be an indication of a more hazardous underlying illness.
High blood pressure has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, and kidney failure, to mention a few.
The following five factors determine whether or not a person with high blood pressure can qualify for life insurance:
In general, a person with high blood pressure can qualify for life insurance provided they have no other major health problems and can show that they are treating their blood pressure according to their doctor’s recommendations.
After your underwriter has received and evaluated the information they need to accurately calculate your risk to the insurance company, the premium you’ll be charged will be determined by the health class you’re assigned.
What is considered heart disease for insurance?
There are various types of life insurance, and each firm has its own criteria for determining who is eligible for coverage. However, most businesses use similar criteria to determine who is qualified for their insurance. The classifications are based on an individual’s health and other criteria.
- Preferred – People in good health may be given a higher ranking. These policyholders typically pay cheaper premiums than others who aren’t in such terrific health. An insured person suffering from heart failure is unlikely to qualify for the preferred underwriting class.
- Standard – People in good health are usually assigned to the standard rate class. If a person is diagnosed with congestive heart failure or another heart illness at the age of 60 or older and is otherwise healthy, they may be put into the standard underwriting category. This is especially true if they waited at least a year after their diagnosis and/or treatment to seek for coverage.
- Your rating will be determined by the severity of your ailment, your age at the time of diagnosis, and your overall health. You’ll almost certainly be assigned to a table or class that charges a greater premium for the same coverage than the regular rate. Because of your cardiac issue, you are considered a higher risk by the insurance.
Which pre-existing conditions are not covered?
Because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, health insurers can no longer charge you or your child extra or deny coverage. They are also unable to limit benefits for that disease. They can’t refuse to cover therapy for your pre-existing ailment once you get insurance.
Can I be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition?
Yes. Health insurance providers can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more because you have a “pre-existing condition” a health problem you had before the start date of your new health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. They are also unable to charge women a higher rate than men.
Only grandfathered individual health insurance plans, which you buy yourself rather than via an employer, are exempt from the pre-existing coverage provision. Pre-existing conditions are not required to be covered.
Is high blood pressure considered heart trouble?
High blood pressure causes the heart to work more difficult than it should. It scars and destroys your arteries, which can lead to heart illness such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, eye damage, heart failure, and atherosclerosis (fatty buildups in the arteries).
Can you get life insurance if you have heart problems?
Surviving a heart attack is both eye-opening and terrifying. “Can I receive life insurance after a heart attack?” is a common question among survivors.
The short answer is yes, life insurance can be obtained after a heart attack.
There are two forms of life insurance available, each suited to different stages of life or risk tolerance levels.
- The purpose of term life insurance is to offer coverage for a set length of time. In the event of your death, this form of coverage could be used to help pay for things like mortgage payments or other debts, an emergency fund, or a child’s education.
- Permanent life insurance, such as a whole life insurance policy, helps to offer protection for the rest of one’s life or the policy’s term. It could be used to help cover long-term obligations, such as last bills and other debts, or to maintain your family financially. For people whose primary worry is covering funeral costs, whole life insurance is a popular option.
If you apply for a term life policy after having a heart attack, you should anticipate your application to be scrutinized more closely by the insurance company, and you may be offered less coverage at higher rates, or you may be denied coverage altogether. You may also be unable to obtain some of the coverage alternatives that someone in good health has access to.
A guaranteed whole life policy, which does not require a medical evaluation and is often accessible to anybody aged 45 to 85, is a more likely life insurance option following a heart attack. Due to the higher risk connected with your health concerns, you might expect to pay more for less coverage.
The sort of coverage you may be eligible for is determined by a number of criteria, including your age and how long it has been since you had a heart attack. It’s also vital to consider the severity of the heart attack. It may be more difficult to obtain insurance if the heart attack is serious.
Compounding health conditions, such as diabetes or other disorders, can make obtaining coverage more difficult and expensive. The fewer health conditions you have, the more likely you are to be approved for coverage.
If you’re asking, though, “If you ask yourself, “May I acquire life insurance after a heart attack?” there are steps you can take to help lower the cost of coverage. These stages include adhering to your doctor’s post-surgery treatment instructions, establishing good eating and exercise habits, and quitting bad behaviors like smoking.
As a result, the answer to the question is “Is it possible to receive life insurance after a heart attack?” The answer is yes. More information about life insurance alternatives and which coverage would be best for you can be found here.
Why would I get turned down for life insurance?
Opening that life insurance company letter and seeing “Sorry, but…” is enough to make anyone nervousespecially if you have a family who depends on your income. If this occurs, the first thing you should do is contact your insurance agent or firm to find out why.
When reviewing your application, insurance firms consider both your medical and nonmedical risks. Their reasons could range from a significant medical condition (such as heart disease) to nonmedical reasons such as bankruptcy, a criminal record, a positive drug test, or even a dangerous hobby.
Can a heart patient get term insurance?
A term insurance policy is intended to protect the policyholder against death for a set period of time. Policyholders can tailor their insurance term to meet their specific needs, with options ranging from 5 to 30 years. A term insurance policy will give you with enough coverage to ensure that your loved ones are financially secure in the event of a disaster.
Term insurance plans are one of the most popular types of life insurance, and many of them can be obtained by people with cardiac problems. It’s crucial to note, though, that life insurance companies will only give a policy to a potential buyer after assessing the risk they’ll be taking. As a result, insurance companies are more inclined to review heart patient applications on a case-by-case basis.
Does life insurance pay out for heart failure?
Is heart illness covered by life insurance? Yes, we all know that heart illness can be fatal, and your life insurance will give your family a cash lump payment if you die.