If you have high blood pressure, we can help you get the best rates available, even if you take medication.
High Blood Pressure Overview
Finding affordable life insurance with high blood pressure (BP) is not complicated if you follow this guide.
You don’t have to overpay for life insurance just because you have hypertension!
We make sure you get the best life insurance rates available based on your individual heart condition.
Underwriting High Blood Pressure
Life insurance companies look for the following when underwriting hypertension:
The reason for hypertension for most people (90-95%) is unknown.
The rest with secondary hypertension have an underlying health condition.
Life insurers need to know the following:
- How old were you when diagnosed with high bp?
- Do you take any medications?
- If yes, what do you take and what dosage?
- Have your medications and/or dosages changed in the past 12 months?
- What is your average bp reading? (12 and 24-month averages)
- Have you taken positive steps to improve your pressure?
- Do you have any other heart conditions or health issues?
- Do you smoke?
Each life insurer has its own set of underwriting guidelines for hypertension.
We’ll share all of this with you when we provide you with quotes.
Some companies penalize you if you take medication, while others don’t.
In addition, some life insurers average your bp readings from the past 24 months.
Other life insurers use your paramed exam results and the prior 12 months history.
Life Insurance Companies for Hypertension
The best life insurance company for you depends on your medical history.
Blood pressure medication is okay unless noted below.
| Company | Age | Preferred Best | Preferred | Standard Plus | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIG-Am. General | 0-60 61-69 70+ | 135/85 140/85 150/90 | 140/85 140/90 155/90 | 145/90 150/90 160/90 | I.C. (2) |
| AXA | 0-60 0-60 60-69 | 140/85 meds 125/80 no meds 150/90 | 145/90 145/90 150/90 | I.C. (2) | I.C. (2) |
| Banner Life (1) | All | 136/86 | 146/90 | 152/92 | 156/94 |
| John Hancock | Uses | UCheck system | to | determine | rates |
| Lincoln National | 0-69 0-69 70+ | 130/85 meds 135/85 no meds 140/90 | 140/90 140/90 155/90 | n/a | I.C. (2) |
| Minnesota Life | All | 135/85 | 145/90 | 145/95 | I.C. (2) |
| Nationwide | 0-55 55+ | 140/80 no meds 140/90 no meds | 145/90 150/90 | I.C. (2) | I.C. (2) |
| Penn Mutual | 0-60 60+ | 135/85 no meds | 140/90 145/90 | 140/90 150/90 | I.C. (2) |
| Principal | 20-44 45-64 65-85 | 135/85 140/85 140/90 | 140/85 140/90 145/90 | 145/90 145/90 150/90 | I.C. (2) |
| Protective | 0-60 61-69 70+ | 135/80 140/85 150/90 | 140/90 150/90 160/95 | I.C. (2) | I.C. (2) |
| Prudential | 0-49 50+ | 130/80 no meds 140/85 | 135/85 145/90 | 140/90 145/90 | I.C. (2) |
| United of Omaha | All | 140/85 | 145/90 | 150/90 | I.C. (2) |
(1)-Banner looks at your 2-year average blood pressure. (2)-Individual Consideration
FAQ
The following are the most common questions we receive about hypertension.
You can get life insurance with high BP, and for many people, the preferred best rates are available with the right companies.
You can be denied life insurance for high BP, although that is not common. For most cases, the life insurance company may offer you a rated policy or postpone you until your doctor evaluates the reason for high blood pressure?
Companies publish underwriting guidelines with the blood pressure cutoff for each rate class. Blood pressure greater than 140/90 may affect life insurance rates.
Blood pressure is checked three times during a life insurance exam (paramed), and our pulse is checked one time.
Steps you can take to lower blood pressure for the paramed exam include scheduling your exam for the morning, limiting alcohol and salty foods prior to the exam, getting a good night’s sleep prior to the exam, skipping your exercise routine the morning of your exam and taking your medications.
Not all life insurance companies treat elevated BP favorably.
As one of the most prevalent heart conditions, we’ll make sure you get the best life insurance rates based on your medical history.
When we provide you with life insurance quotes, we share the guidelines with you so you know upfront what to expect.
We maintain a database of the life insurance underwriting guidelines for each life insurance company that we work with.
Please take a few minutes to complete your quote request today.
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Last Updated – March 16, 2021