Speak with an experienced advisor! Do you have high blood pressure? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. High blood pressure life insurance eligibility is a common concern for life insurance shoppers. Hypertension life insurance eligibility is another concern for many shoppers. High blood pressure and hypertension will factor into your life insurance eligibility and rates.
One in every three adults in the U.S. suffers from some degree of high blood pressure. It is a common affliction nowadays, so common that it affects tens of millions of people.
With a knowledgeable life insurance agent, you should be able to qualify for the best life insurance rates.
High blood pressure life insurance is it possible?
Even if you have high blood pressure (HBP), you will still be able to get life insurance. Life insurance companies consider HBP to be an additional risk factor when providing life insurance policies, but it is possible to get affordable life insurance coverage despite your hypertension.
The key to applying for life insurance with hypertension is to choose an insurance company that is lenient in underwriting for people who have high blood pressure.
A life insurance policy with high blood pressure with low premiums should be your goal. We can help you find the best policy based on your health and lifestyle!
WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood against the walls of the arteries around your body.
Your blood pressure is expressed by the measurement of systolic and diastolic:
- Systolic – the pressure when your heart pushes blood out.
- Diastolic – the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
Blood pressure is expressed with systolic over diastolic such as 120/80 mmHg:
- Normal – 120 less than 80
- Pre-hypertension – anything between 120 – 139/80-89
- High – above 140-159 /90-99
High blood pressure is called hypertension. The condition itself is asymptomatic, meaning you can have hypertension for years without knowing it!
The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.
Adults over 40 years are advised to be tested at least every 5 years for hypertension.
TYPES OF HYPERTENSION
A hypertension diagnosis will often require taking prescription medication to control your high blood pressure. Following your doctor’s medical treatment plan (including taking correct medications) will improve your health, longevity, and life insurance rates.
Here are the two primary types of Hypertension:
- Primary Hypertension – Affects 90 to 95% of sufferers. The causes are not-specific, but it can include diet, salt intake, caffeine, being overweight and drinking too much alcohol. The combined effects of these factors can increase your chances of being hypertensive as you get older. Your family history can also be a factor.
- Secondary Hypertension – There is an underlying cause, for example, kidney failure. The underlying cause will affect your high blood pressure life insurance application. These complications will make your hypertension looks severe.
RISKS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure readings mean added risk to your short and long-term health.
If blood pressure readings remain high there is an increased risk of health problems such as:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Atherosclerosis
- Aneurysm
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Kidney failure
- Vascular dementia
These health problems make you a higher risk applicant for life insurance. A higher risk applicant means higher life insurance premiums. But it doesn’t mean you can’t get approved for the best rating with the lowest premium possible.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS?
- Altace
- Atacand
- Atenolol
- Avapro
- Avalide
- Amlodipine
- Azor
- Benicar
- Bystolic
- Carvedilol
- Clonidine
- Coreg
- Cozaar
- Diovan
- Enalapril
- Exforge
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Hyzaar
- Furosemide
- Lisinopril
- Lopressor
- Losartan
- Lotrel
- Metoprolol
- Minoxidil
- Propranolol
- Micardis
- Norvasc
- Ramapril
- Spirolactone
- Tekturna
- Triamterene
- Valsartan
- Verapamil
DO THE MEDICATIONS USED TO CONTROL MY BLOOD PRESSURE MATTER FOR INSURANCE RATES?
Underwriters want to see if your blood pressure is under control before issuing you a life insurance policy. They will always ask what types of medications you are taking for a fully underwritten life insurance policy (not always the case with non-medical life insurance policies).
Taking blood pressure medication won’t disqualify you for the best rates.
Insurance companies prefer that you take medications, so your blood pressure remains level. If your blood pressure is controlled, the risk factors associated with this condition are no longer present.
WHAT QUESTIONS WILL INSURANCE COMPANIES ASK ABOUT MY HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
They will ask questions about your medical history and lifestyle, but the insurance companies will also want to know more about your hypertension.
A good independent life insurance professional will ask you the following questions BEFORE you apply:
- When is the first time you were diagnosed with high blood pressure?
- What medications are you taking to control your hypertension?
- What are your last 3-5 months of blood pressure reading?
- How are you controlling your hypertension?
- Do you smoke?
- Is your hypertension primary or secondary?
- If secondary hypertension, what is the underlying cause?
- What is the history of abnormal lipid levels?
- Do you have a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke?
- Has a recent stress electrocardiogram been completed?
- Has an echocardiogram been done?
RATE CLASSIFICATIONS FOR LIFE INSURANCE WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE:
Preferred Plus: Top-rated category. The blood pressure readings need to be 140/85 or lower. Some insurers demand that this maintained without the aid of medicine. Slightly higher readings are permitted for older age groups, for example, those over 50, and those over 60.
Preferred: A blood pressure readings of 145/90 or below is required for preferred status eligibility. This reading can be slightly higher for older clients.
Standard Plus: Readings must be 152/92 or lower. Older age groups are allowed for higher readings.
Standard: 160/90 or lower reading is needed to qualify for Standard rate class.
Substandard (Table Ratings): If your reading is higher than 160/90 you are more likely be stuck with table ratings. Each table rating level down adds 25% premium on top of that particular insurance carrier’s standard rates.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TERM LIFE INSURANCE APPLICATION
Take measures to prepare yourself before applying for life insurance eligibility. This will help your chance of getting approved for the best rating class possible.
Here are some tips to put yourself in the best position to qualify:
- Visit your doctor as often as recommended.
- Follow your doctor’s orders regarding medication and treatment.
- Update your medical records regularly. This is very important! You will get a poor rating if the life insurance company is unable to determine your level of hypertension control.
- Get any other health complications under control. If you have high cholesterol, make sure it is being treated as well.
- Get good night sleep and abstain from caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco products 24 hours prior to your exam.
- Eat healthy 24-48 hours before your exam.
HOW TO GET THE LOWEST PREMIUM POSSIBLE
You can have an excellent life insurance policy with affordable premiums even if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Here are two things you need to do to purchase the best high blood pressure life insurance policy you can qualify for:
- Work with a knowledgeable and independent life insurance agent. We can advise you which company is most likely to approve your application at the lowest rate. Doing this will ensure that you are getting the best-priced policy tailored to your specific needs.
- Prepare for the application and exam ahead of time. Communicate about the details of your high blood pressure and history. Have your doctor’s contact information on-hand. With assistance from your doctor and agent, as well as your commitment to stay healthy, you can obtain a policy which will provide critical protection for your family.
HOW MUCH DOES LIFE INSURANCE WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE COST?
The most accurate pricing estimate will come after you speak with an independent life insurance broker.
We can tell you the expected rates from different insurance companies after learning everything about your blood pressure and other health factors.
The cost of coverage is based on individual circumstances and factors such as blood pressure readings and how stable they are and other underlying causes.
CONCLUSION
Even if you have high blood pressure, you can still have quality life insurance with affordable premiums.
Here at Life Wealth Win, we specialize in assisting people with pre-existing medical conditions like high blood pressure to apply for insurance.
We can help if you are serious about finding affordable life insurance with high blood pressure.
Give us a call today at (888) 435-4342 or select our free quote button below to get an instant life insurance quote.
