High Blood Pressure and Life Insurance: What You Should Know

Yes, you can get life insurance with high blood pressure. Even if you’re on medication or your readings aren’t perfect, affordable options are available.

This guide explains how life insurers evaluate hypertension, the types of policies available, and how to increase your chances of receiving the best offer.

High blood pressure (also called hypertension) means your heart is working harder than it should to push blood through your arteries. It’s measured using two numbers:

• Systolic (top number) – Pressure when your heart beats.
• Diastolic (bottom number) Pressure between beats

According to the American Heart Association:

Life insurers want to see that your blood pressure is stable, under control, and well-documented.

Insurers look at more than just your numbers. They want to know:

Age plays a significant role in determining life insurance rates. Younger applicants may receive better rates, even if their blood pressure is higher, because they’re generally seen as less risky.

Insurance companies may be more cautious about older applicants, but you can still secure reasonable rates if your blood pressure is well managed.

Contrary to popular belief, many insurers offer their best rates even if you take blood pressure meds. What matters most is whether your condition is well managed.

Companies that offer their best rate if you take medication include:

• AIG – Corebridge Financial
• Banner Life
• Cincinnati Life
• John Hancock
• Lincoln National
• Minnesota Life
• Pacific Life
• Penn Mutual
• Protective
• Prudential (age 50+)
• United of Omaha

Companies that do NOT offer their best rate if you take BP medication:

• American National
• AAA
• Brighthouse Financial
• Equitable
• Nationwide
• Augustar Financial – Ohio National
• Primerica
• Sagicor

Most insurers average your paramed exam and your personal doctor’s records over the past 12 to 24 months. Here’s how sample readings might affect your rate:

Life insurance companies will also assess your overall health, not just your blood pressure. Do you have other heart conditions such as:

• Abnormal EKG history
• Heart Blocks
• Aortic Aneurysm
• Aortic Stenosis
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Bypass Surgery
• Heart Attack
• Pacemaker
• Angina
• Cardiomyopathy
• Embolism History
• Mitral Valve

Other significant health conditions, such as diabetes, gastrointestinal conditions, or cancer history may also impact your rates.

Here’s a comparison of top companies’ blood pressure limits for best and second-best rate classes. Most vary based on age and medication use.

Although rare, life insurance can be denied if your blood pressure is extremely high or uncontrolled. More likely is that companies will assign a table rating to your policy.

Blood pressure readings above the following:

• Ages 18-35 – Greater than 160/108
• Ages 36-49 – Greater than 180/108
• Ages 50-69 – Greater than 180/112
• Ages 70+ – Greater than 180/112

Most declines happen when:

• Blood pressure history shows poor control.
• Multiple medications and frequent changes of meds.
• Non-compliance with your physician’s instructions
• Cardiovascular disease – i.e., recent open heart surgery
• Kidney disease
• Unfavorable cardiac test results

What should you do if you’re declined? Let us know. We’ll review your medical history with you and then contact our companies for underwriting feedback.

White coat syndrome is a condition in which blood pressure increases in response to an exam.

If you have a paramed exam as part of underwriting, the examiner will take multiple blood pressure readings during the paramed exam.

You may not get the best rates if your blood pressure is elevated above the preferred cutoff ranges.

Here’s a quick list of things you can do to improve long-term BP control:

• Take your medications
• Lose weight
• Exercise
• Limit sodium
• Quit smoking
• Reduce caffeine
• Limit alcohol
• Reduce stress

It sounds easier than it is, but if you work on any or all of the above, you can achieve much better control.

Be prepared to answer:

• When were you first diagnosed with high blood pressure?
• What are your average blood pressure readings?
• Do you take medication—and how long have you been on it?
• Have your medications changed recently?
• Do you have any other conditions (e.g., diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease)?
• When was your last physical or cardiac workup?
• Have you had any abnormal test results (EKG, stress test, echocardiogram)?
• Do you follow your doctor’s treatment plan?

Having high blood pressure doesn’t disqualify you from life insurance. The key is to apply through the right companies and provide complete medical details.

At RiskQuoter, we specialize in high-risk life insurance. We’ll help you shop smarter, avoid mistakes, and secure the best possible offer tailored to your unique health profile.