If you’re shopping for life insurance and dealing with high blood pressure, you may have some concerns about your rates. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that affects many adults, but that doesn’t mean it has to prevent you from getting affordable coverage. By understanding the factors that life insurance companies look at, and how to manage your blood pressure, you can improve your chances of securing the best possible rates.
Can You Get Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is often referred to as a “silent” condition because many people don’t experience symptoms. It’s often only discovered during a routine check-up. However, untreated high blood pressure can increase the risk of serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and more.
Fortunately, having high blood pressure doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance. As long as you are managing your blood pressure and there are no other serious health conditions, you should still be eligible for coverage. Insurance companies typically assess the following factors to determine your eligibility and rates:
- The presence of other health conditions, such as heart disease
- When you were first diagnosed with high blood pressure
- Your current treatment plan, including medications
- Your weight and lifestyle choices, such as alcohol consumption or smoking
- Your family’s medical history, especially heart-related issues
If you’re actively managing your high blood pressure, life insurance companies are more likely to offer you coverage at a reasonable rate.
What Do Life Insurance Companies Look At?
When applying for life insurance, the insurer will gather information from multiple sources to evaluate your health and risk level. These include:
- Physician Reports: Your doctor will provide a report about your blood pressure and any related conditions.
- Hospital Records: If you’ve been hospitalized for hypertension or other related conditions, the insurer will review those records.
- Medical Exam: This exam includes a review of your weight, height, blood pressure, and samples of your blood and urine.
- Medical Information Bureau (MIB): This report shows your history of applying for life insurance and whether you’ve been declined or rated for higher risks in the past.
- Prescription History: The insurer will check a national database to see what medications you’ve been prescribed.
These factors help the insurance company determine the level of risk you pose. Depending on your blood pressure readings, your health status, and lifestyle, you may be placed in different rate classifications, which will determine the premium you pay.
Life Insurance Company Blood Pressure Guidelines
Different insurance companies have their own guidelines for blood pressure, but they generally follow similar standards. These guidelines will influence the rate you’re offered. Here’s a breakdown of common classifications based on blood pressure readings:
- Super Preferred (Preferred Plus): Blood pressure must be under 141/86, with some allowances for older individuals who are otherwise healthy.
- Preferred: Blood pressure under 145/90 is required.
- Standard Plus: Requires blood pressure readings of 152/92 or lower.
- Standard: Blood pressure must be under 161/91.
- Table Rating: For applicants who don’t qualify for the above categories, insurers may offer a table rating, which adds extra costs to the premium.
Some insurance companies may be more flexible, particularly for older applicants in good overall health.
How Medications Affect Life Insurance
If you are prescribed medication to manage your blood pressure, don’t worry – most life insurance companies accept this as long as your condition is controlled. Whether you’re on medication for primary hypertension (high blood pressure without an obvious cause) or secondary hypertension (caused by another medical condition), insurers typically assess your health based on how well you manage the condition.
As long as your blood pressure is well controlled with medication and there are no other serious underlying health issues, you can still qualify for competitive rates, even at the Preferred or Preferred Plus levels.
Life Insurance Options for Those with High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, you may want to consider additional coverage options to enhance your policy. Many insurers allow you to add riders to your policy, which can provide extra benefits, such as a living benefits rider. This rider allows you to access a portion of your death benefit if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness or become disabled.
It’s also wise to focus on lifestyle changes that can help lower your blood pressure naturally. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends:
- Eating a balanced, low-sodium diet
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Exercising regularly
- Managing stress
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
Even modest improvements to your diet and lifestyle, such as losing 5-10% of your body weight, can significantly lower your blood pressure.
Preparing for Your Life Insurance Exam
If you’re preparing for a life insurance medical exam, you’ll want to ensure that your blood pressure readings are as low as possible. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:
- Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours before the exam.
- Refrain from drinking alcohol or consuming caffeine for 24 hours prior to the exam.
- Stay calm during the exam – focus on slow, deep breaths to help lower your blood pressure.
- If you feel anxious, ask the examiner to take your blood pressure at the end of the exam when you are more relaxed.
These steps can help ensure your blood pressure readings are as accurate as possible, potentially improving your health class rating.
Other Life Insurance Options
In addition to term life insurance, there are other types of policies that may suit your needs:
- Universal Life Insurance: A permanent policy that combines death benefit coverage with a cash value component. It offers more flexibility than term life insurance but comes with higher premiums.
- Final Expense Whole Life Insurance: If you’re primarily concerned about covering funeral and final expenses, this policy provides coverage without requiring a medical exam and is available to applicants in most health conditions.
- Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance: This type of policy guarantees coverage without requiring a medical exam, making it ideal for those with serious health conditions.
Conclusion
While high blood pressure can influence your life insurance rates, it doesn’t have to prevent you from obtaining coverage. By managing your blood pressure, making lifestyle improvements, and choosing the right insurer, you can secure affordable life insurance. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, it’s always a good idea to consult with an experienced agent who can help you navigate the best options based on your health status.
