Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure
Where Should You Apply?
20+ life insurance companies provide their best rate, even if you take medication!
Three Major Factors for Blood Pressure
Your age, blood pressure readings/averages, and whether or not you take medication.
Blood Pressure Average 135/85
Male, Age 44 – Takes BP medication
- Banner Life – Preferred Plus
- Protective – Preferred Plus
- Prudential – Preferred
Not all companies allow medications for their best rate class.
Blood Pressure Average 140/85
Male, Age 44 – Takes BP medication
- Banner Life – Preferred
- Protective – Preferred
- Prudential – Non-Smoker Plus
Blood pressure averages can affect your rates significantly!
Blood Pressure Average 140/85
Male, Age 60 – Takes BP medications
- Banner Life – Preferred
- Protective – Preferred Plus
- Prudential – Preferred Best
Aged 60+ have more liberal guidelines with the right companies.
We match you to the best life insurers based on your hypertension history.
Life insurance companies publish blood pressure guidelines, including blood pressure cutoffs and medication rules, so you know upfront which rate class you qualify for.
Benefit #1 – High blood pressure saves more here!
Regardless of your blood pressure history, we have companies and options available.
We’ll make sure you get matched to the best term life insurance for high blood pressure.
There is never any pressure or obligation with our service.
Companies that may offer you their best rate 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
Benefit #2 Underwriting Expertise with hypertension
In addition to showing you the companies to work with, we tell you which life insurers to steer clear of.
Avoid these companies if you take meds and want the best rate classes.
- American National
- AAA
- Equitable
- Nationwide
- Ohio National
- Primerica
- Sagicor
Life Insurance Rates for High Blood Pressure
Does high blood pressure affect life insurance?
High blood pressure does affect life insurance, especially if you are trying to qualify for the best underwriting rate classes.
The concern underwriters have about high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is the increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, heart conditions, and kidney deterioration.
The American Heart Association has a great article about high blood pressure categories.
| Category | Systolic | Diastolic |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120 | Less than 80 |
| Elevated | 120-129 | Less than 80 |
| Stage 1 Hypertension | 130-139 | 80-89 |
| Stage 2 Hypertension | 140 or higher | 90 or higher |
| Hypertensive Crisis | Higher than 180 | Higher than 120 |
High blood pressure can be further classified as primary hypertension or secondary hypertension.
Primary hypertension means there is no known cause for high blood pressure (about 95% of all people), and secondary means it’s due to an underlying disease or condition.
The effect your blood pressure readings from the paramed exam have depends on your age, the BP readings, and whether you have additional health conditions like high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc.
In some cases, you can readings in the 150/100 range and still get approved…you’ll receive a table-rated offer.
It just depends on your exact overall health.
Life Insurance Blood Pressure Chart by Company
If you’re looking to qualify for the best rates, here’s where you’ll need to be with blood pressure. Most life insurance companies average your past two years and paramed exam results.
| Company | Best Rate | 2nd Best |
|---|---|---|
| AIG-Corebridge – Under age 60 | 135/85 | 140/85 |
| AIG-Corebridge – Age 60-69 | 140/85 | 140/90 |
| AIG-Corebridge – Age 70+ | 150/90 | 155/90 |
| Banner Life | 135/85 | 140/90 |
| Cincinnati Life – Age 0-60 | 135/85 | 140/85 |
| Cincinnati Life – Age 61+ | 145/85 | 150/90 |
| Lincoln National – Age 0 – 69 | 135/85 (no Rx) | 140/90 |
| Lincoln National – Age 0-69 treated | 130/80 | 140/90 |
| Lincoln National – Age 70+ | 140/90 | 155/90 |
| Minnesota Life | 135/85 | 145/90 |
| Pacific Life – Age 0-50 | 135/85 | 140/90 |
| Pacific Life – Age 51-64 | 140/85 | 145/90 |
| Pacific Life – Age 65+ | 145/90 | 150/90 |
| Protective Life – Age 0-60 | 135/85 | 140/90 |
| Protective Life – Age 61-70 | 140/85 | 150/90 |
| Protective Life – Age 71+ | 150/90 | 160/95 |
| Prudential – Age 0-49 | 130/80 (no Rx) | 135/85 |
| Prudential – Age 50+ | 135/85 | 145/90 |
| SBLI – Age 0-60 | 135/85 | 135/85 |
| SBLI – Age 61+ | 140/85 | 145/90 |
| Symetra – Age 0-50 | 135/85 | 140/90 |
| Symetra – Age 51+ | 140/90 | 145/90 |
| Transamerica – Age 0-70 | 135/85 | 145/85 |
| Transamerica – Age 71+ | 145/85 | 150/90 |
| United of Omaha | 140/85 | 145/90 |
| Zurich – Age 0-50 | 135/85 | 140/90 |
| Zurich – Age 51+ | 140/88 | 145/90 |
Can you be denied life insurance for high blood pressure?
While not common, you could be denied life insurance if your blood pressure is out of control on the paramed.
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 related to blood pressure 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., 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 shop out to our companies for underwriting feedback.
What about White Coat Syndrome?
White coat syndrome is blood pressure that elevates due 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.
If your blood pressure is elevated above the preferred best cutoff ranges, chances are you will not get the best rates.
Final Words
When you have high blood pressure, it’s important to know your blood pressure history.
With that information, we’ll be able to guide you to the best life insurance companies for your blood pressure history.
We have all types of life insurance available, including term, universal and whole life.
Please take a few minutes to submit your request today. Thank you.
By Michael Horbal – Updated on 02/05/2023