2024 Life Insurance With High Blood Pressure
Written by Daniel Ray, Life Insurance Expert |
✅
Fact Checked by
Lisamarie Monaco |
Editorial Disclosure
If you are looking for life insurance with high blood pressure, pull up a seat, you have come to the right place! Let’s dive in.
Living with high blood pressure often means being extra cautious in various aspects of life. Yet, when it comes to securing the financial future of your loved ones, understanding life insurance options can become all the more crucial.
If you’re battling hypertension, it’s essential to dive deeper into how this condition might affect your life insurance decisions. Let’s explore the steps to ensure you make informed choices that cater to both your health and your family’s peace of mind.
Table of contents
Does High Blood Pressure Affect Life Insurance
How Can High Blood Pressure Affect Life Insurance Rates? Does treated blood pressure affect my life insurance rates? What factors affect life insurance coverage?
According to the American College of Cardiology, blood pressure causes many other health impairments and health issues. For instance, being diagnosed with high blood pressure puts your overall health at risk. In fact, life insurance with hypertension can be costly if not managed!
To emphasize, these high-risk factors include but are not limited to:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Aneurysms
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Kidney Failure
- Atrial Fibrillation AFIB
High Blood Pressure and Life Insurance
These all factor into each other causing each to be worse. So it should not be a big surprise that if your blood pressure is not in control, you will pay a higher rate. Also, a combination of these conditions will leave the underwriter to prompt you to be more of a risk.
In fact, life insurance companies will want to know your blood pressure history.
Life Insurance Blood Pressure Underwriting
Hypertension Life Insurance Underwriting Questions
Furthermore, these are the questions that a life insurance underwriter will want to know when deciding on your rating class. For this reason, the carrier will insist on a medical exam and will request medical records.
Remember, the Rating class determines the price, so you will want to have a history of in-check blood pressure readings.
- What is your average blood pressure reading?
- What kind of medications are you taking?
- Any history of elevated readings?
- When was your last blood pressure screening?
- Do you have a family history of high blood pressure or hypertension?
Furthermore, these are the questions that a life insurance underwriter will want to know when deciding on your rating class.
For this reason, the carrier will insist on a medical exam and will request medical records. Remember, the Rating class determines the price, so you will want to have a history of in-check blood pressure readings.
At the exam, the life insurance blood pressure test will be taken by the examiner. The examiner will take 3 consecutive blood pressure readings.
The good news is, getting life insurance with high blood pressure is very achievable and is not a concern, but insurance companies will rate you higher if you have high blood pressure that is not controlled. The combination of blood pressure, high cholesterol would be alarming as well!
Here at PinnacleQuote, we can help you find the best life insurance plans at the lowest cost. However, when speaking to your life insurance agent it is very important, to be honest when filling out your life insurance application.
Does High Blood Pressure Affect Life Insurance
Why is Hypertension Disconcerting to Life Insurance Companies
Overall, when a life insurance carrier determines the rate, they want to make sure you are a sound investment! By and large, this is a business! So Hypertension, or high blood pressure, has a long list of possible health issues that can have a significant effect on the price. We touched on some above, but here are a few more.
This includes:
- Heart Disease, leading to Heart Failure
- Sleep Apnea
- Damaged Arteries
As you can imagine, these related health issues cause people with hypertension to be considered high-risk individuals. Of course, there are more potential complications that come with hypertension, but as long as they are non-life-threatening, they are not as concerning to the life insurance companies.
Furthermore, you always want to be with the right life insurance carrier that specializes in that niche. Moreover, you want a company with a high rating and is reputable.
We consider A.M. Best as the superior rating agency for financial stability and making sure that the insurance company is solid.
Taking Medicine for Secondary Hypertension vs Essential Hypertension
Above all, 95 percent of hypertension is known as “essential” hypertension. This implies there isn’t any specific underlying reason. If that is you, it is extremely important to take the drugs as prescribed.
It can only help your situation to maintain level blood pressure, pay reduced premiums, and put your hard-earned money back in your pocket. This usually means an inherent cause DOES lead to the existence of hypertension.
Frequent causes include:
- Heart issues such as a congenital defect of the aorta
- Tumors in the adrenal gland
- Kidney Issues or kidney failure
With this particular group, taking blood pressure medicine remains generally great for the life insurance prices, (Assuming the Doctor prescribed it naturally).
The distinction here: as there’s an underlying reason, that illness will have to be looked at specifically and individually from the mere existence of hypertension.
Blood Pressure For Preferred Life Insurance
Blood Pressure Medicine and Preferred Rating Class
What is life insurance class ratings?
If it concerns the top wellness course, “Preferred Plus”, there are a number of businesses that will not permit any blood pressure medicine to qualify for their best prices. This varies by business. We’ll detail this in a later segment.
The motive is straightforward: Greater than 5 percent of individuals qualify for Preferred Plus. It’s reserved for people in exceptional health. You have to have healthy/low BP amounts and (with a few businesses) these have to be organic, without the guidance of medications
What Is Considered High Blood Pressure For Life Insurance
So, what is normal blood pressure?
People with high blood pressure must learn to keep track of their blood pressure readings, in order to monitor their condition.
A blood pressure reading is the ratio of two numbers: the Systolic reading (top) and the Diastolic reading (bottom).
Below is a life insurance blood pressure chart. You’ll see the guidelines for these categories given by The American Heart Association:
| Blood Pressure (Category) | Systolic MM/HG (Upper #) | Diastolic MM/HG (Lower) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120 | Less than 80 |
| Pre-Hypertension | 120-139 | 80-89 |
| Hypertension Stage 1 | 140-159 | 90-99 |
| Hypertension Stage 2 | 160-179 | 100-109 |
| Hypertensive CRISIS | Higher than 180 | Higher than 110 |
If your blood pressure reading is in Hypertension Stage 1 or higher, you may have trouble finding the life insurance rate you are looking for.
What do Life Insurance Companies Consider High Blood Pressure
What do life insurance companies want to know about my blood pressure medications
Taking medication for your Blood Pressure — even if it’s effectively lowering your blood pressure — Although, it is essential for your life to help with blood flow and keep you healthy, it can have a negative impact on your life insurance plan.
Life insurance companies do not want you to have to fluctuating blood pressure. Instead, they’re looking to see if your blood pressure has remained more or less the same for an extended period of time. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Life Insurance High Blood Pressure Medication
Is high blood pressure a silent killer?
Before you apply for life insurance, make sure you prepare yourself for several questions about your medication. This includes the precise dose of medicine you are taking. Common blood pressure medications include Bystolic, Diovan, Toprol XL, etc. If applying for life insurance for seniors over the age of 75.
Above all, they will be looking for a history of blood pressure readings to make sure there are no elevated readings. Studies have shown that treated high blood pressure may be linked to greater overall disability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Common Blood Pressure Medications
| Altace | Cozaar | Micardis |
| Amlodipine | Diovan | Minoxidil |
| Atacand | Enalapril | Norvasc |
| Atenolol | Exforge | Propranolol |
| Avalide | Furosemide | Ramapril |
| Avapro | Hydrochlorothiazide | Spirolactone |
| Azor | Hyzaar | Tekturna |
| Benicar | Lisinopril | Triamterene |
| Bystolic | Lopressor | Valsartan |
| Carvedilol | Losartan | Verapamil |
| Clonidine | Lotrel | Coreg |
| Metoprolol |
How can High Blood Pressure or Treated Blood Pressure Affect Life Insurance?
Slightly elevated blood pressure might only be attributed to anxiety and a bad diet. Also, sometimes people get “white coat syndrome.” Just being in an exam room with a doctor can raise your blood pressure.
However, also known as a silent killer, a more badly raised illness puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels. This may lead to more severe medical ailments, such as heart attack or stroke.
Insurance underwriter’s opinion: It is a higher risk for those conditions which are the true concern. Finally, this means you are going to pay higher premiums. Stick with us to discover how to reduce this.
What is Considered High Blood Pressure For Life Insurance
It’s important to realize that a life insurance company’s underwriter will take a very thorough look at your most recent blood pressure readings. In addition, the overall history of hypertension.
For instance, there are certain blood pressure level readings that tell the carrier about what type of risk an applicant is. This will determine what the applicant’s rate will be.
Another key point is to understand that every carrier has different guidelines for determining the rate. With this in mind, it is very important to consult with an independent agent when shopping for high blood pressure quotes.
Here is the basic rule of thumb:
- Preferred Plus/Select Preferred Class: If your blood pressure readings are below 130/80 and you aren’t on any drugs, below the age of 60, you’re not deemed to have elevated blood pressure and so you’d be qualified for the lowest possible premiums
- Preferred Class: You may be thought of as a favorite risk if your readings are below 135/90 controlled by drugs, or 150/90 with no drugs. This would induce you to marginally lower premiums than people from the normal classification.
- Standard: This normally requires readings that don’t exceed 150/90 controlled by drugs. Readings might be greater for older age classes, as an instance, people over 50, and people over 60.
What else will life insurance companies ask me?
There are several more questions you must prepare for. Life insurance companies will want to know the following:
- How active are you?
- What do you do for work?
- What’s your family history like?
- Do you use tobacco, are you a smoker?
- Do you have Diabetes?
- Driving history, DUI History?
They’ll ask for your height, weight, cholesterol levels, and if you have any other medical conditions on top of your high blood pressure. All of this information will factor in their assessment of you, and whether or not they’ll consider you a high-risk life insurance individual.
Although high blood pressure can be brought about by life events such as stress, it can also be a hereditary genetic condition. With a better lifestyle, those conditions can subside. It is also very important to remember that other health impairments factor in.
Having diabetes, high blood pressure can lead to other heart and circulatory problems. With symptoms of diabetes, are conditions that can cause an increase in stroke and/or heart attack.
It’s important to note that each life insurance company is different. Their health assessment will vary drastically depending on which company you go with. This is where we at PinnacleQuote can help you find the best option for you, personally.
What are the best tips for lowering the blood pressure?
If you wish to be proactive, there are several things you can do that can help you lower your life insurance rates. This includes consistent exercise, quitting smoking, cutting down on alcoholic drinks, and eating healthy, well-balanced meals (i.e. the Dash diet). Also, the 20-year term life insurance policy is the most common term to purchase.
If your blood pressure is out of control, taking medication may be your best option. Life insurance companies would prefer to see you with a controlled heart rate while on medication than an uncontrolled heart rate without medication.
How To Lower Blood Pressure for Life Insurance Exam
The best way to lower your blood pressure before an exam is to make sure you are taking your medications. DO NOT change the schedule!! Unless of course, you have conditions brought on by maybe white coat syndrome.
There are particular customs that could aggravate hypertension. Should you indulge in some of them, you need to reduce as soon as possible and make it a wish to stop completely
How to Lower Your Life Insurance Premiums
There are a number of measures that you may take so as to boost your probability of obtaining a life insurance plan even in the event that you’ve got elevated blood pressure.
The very first thing which you’ll have to do would be to be certain that you are treating your blood pressure. As high blood pressure generally doesn’t create immediate medical difficulties, folks have a tendency to discount it.
This may give rise to a life insurance provider denying your coverage. Be certain you get regular checkups and take drugs as needed so as to control it.
If this is the case, then just remain calm!! Do not drink any caffeine products like coffee before the exam.
Other Ways To Increase Your Chances For A Better Life Insurance Rate
Above all, begin with losing some excess weight as being obese may be a strain on the center, which may raise blood pressure. Exercise is a great way to decrease your blood pressure too.
A regular exercise regimen can help decrease your blood pressure. It may be as straightforward as walking a couple of miles every day. If you’re entirely exhausted your blood pressure may worsen.
There are particular foods like fats, caffeine, salt, and many others that could have a negative effect on your own blood pressure. You need to avoid processed foods and include more veggies and fruits in your diet plan.
In addition, anxiety is just another contributor to elevated blood pressure. You are going to need to be certain that you attempt and relax as far as you can.
Remove stressors out of your daily life and participate in actions that can allow you to offset the effects of anxiety. Meditation can be exceedingly beneficial in the relaxation procedure.
If you’re applying for a life insurance plan, work with a carrier that has a positive outlook of blood pressure as being a risk element.
How and when should I apply for life insurance?
There are a few options to consider when applying for life insurance when diagnosed with hypertension. First, you should learn the pros and cons of permanent life insurance vs. term life insurance. From there, you’ll need to decide on a plan.
For high-risk life insurance individuals, you also have the option to apply for no exam life insurance, where you will be guaranteed acceptance. These policies will be a bit more, but may eventually be beneficial.
If you are a special risk, depending on the risk, guaranteed acceptance may be a good option. At PinnacleQuote, we can seek out the best life insurance options for you.
Overall, putting off life insurance, especially with a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, leaves your family unprotected and debts unpaid. It doesn’t have to be today, but get in contact with us and we’ll help you acquire some peace of mind.
What is the Life Expectancy of a Person with High Blood Pressure
Overall, there are quite a few risks for people with high blood pressure. Not only is your life expectancy shortened by 10-20 years, but you are also at risk for the following:
- Heart disease
- congestive heart failure
- stroke
- kidney issues/disease
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FAQs
What is the impact of treated high blood pressure on life insurance rates?
Answer: Individuals with controlled and treated high blood pressure might see slightly higher rates than those without any health issues. However, consistently well-managed hypertension can lead to more favorable rates, especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Will I be denied life insurance if I have hypertension?
Answer: Not necessarily. While untreated or poorly managed high blood pressure can be a concern for insurers, many companies offer policies to individuals with controlled hypertension. It’s essential to shop around and consult with different providers to get the best possible terms.
Do I need to undergo a medical exam to get life insurance if I have high blood pressure?
Answer: Most traditional life insurance policies require a medical exam, where your blood pressure will be checked. However, some providers offer no-exam policies, but they might come with higher premiums.
How can I get better life insurance rates with high blood pressure?
Answer: Regular check-ups, following doctor-prescribed treatments, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding tobacco, and managing stress can improve your chances of securing favorable insurance rates. Some insurers might also offer better terms if you’ve demonstrated a stable medical history over time.
Can I reduce my premium if my blood pressure improves after securing a policy?
Answer: It’s possible! Many insurance providers allow policyholders to undergo a new medical exam after a specific period, and if there’s a significant improvement in health, such as better-managed blood pressure, you might qualify for reduced premiums.
Conclusion
High blood pressure is a common health issue that can lead to many other complications. For example, high blood pressure has been linked with an increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Managing your hypertension may seem burdensome at first glance, but it’s not impossible!
In fact, life insurance for those with high blood pressure might be less expensive than you think if the condition is managed properly. So don’t wait any longer- get a quote today from our experts by clicking below or calling (855)380-3300.
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