Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure (Including FAQs)

Questions about qualifying for life insurance with high blood pressure or while taking blood pressure medication are extremely common.

The following article, Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure (Including FAQs), is intended to provide helpful information concerning high blood pressure and life insurance, best life insurance companies for high blood pressure, and applying for coverage with pre-existing medical conditions.

However, it is important to understand your diagnosis and how high blood pressure can affect your application for coverage.

In many instances, high blood pressure successfully controlled with lifestyle or medication and without significant complications may have minimal impact on your life insurance application.

In fact, many insurance companies will offer a preferred underwriting class to individuals with well-controlled hypertension and even a standard underwriting class to those with moderately controlled conditions. It is often poorly controlled hypertension or a combination of other conditions, which result in a table rating or decline of coverage. In cases where applicants are denied life insurance based on high blood pressure, there are often guaranteed issue life insurance options available.

In applying for life insurance with a history of high blood pressure, it is important to understand both your diagnosis and how this condition can potentially affect policy approval.

According to Healthline, “high blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when your blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels. Your blood pressure measurement takes into account how much blood is passing through your blood vessels and the amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping.” High blood pressure is traditionally classified as either primary or secondary hypertension. These classifications are essentially determined by the underlying cause of the condition.

Primary hypertension often develops slowly as an individual ages, and may be caused by genetics, lifestyle, weight, environment, and other factors.

Secondary hypertension occurs more rapidly, often being caused by medical issues such as kidney disease, respiratory issues, heart problems, drug or alcohol use, and other serious conditions.

Ultimately, your medical history and current condition will be used to determine coverage eligibility.

In many instances, depending on the policy and insurance company, a physical exam may be required. The insurance company’s underwriting team may also review medical information bureau data, prescription records, and attending physician statements. So, the final decision will be based on more than just your prescribed medications.

Life insurance companies will commonly ask for the following information related to high blood pressure.

So, what is considered high blood pressure for life insurance?

Though underwriting standards vary by insurer, the following provides an example of rate classes based on blood pressure readings. Please note that life insurance company underwriting makes the final decision regarding rates and/or policy approval.

Preferred Plus – Individuals age 0-60 with well-controlled high blood pressure and a reading of 135/85 or less, or those age 61+ with a reading of 140/85, may qualify for a preferred plus rate class.

Preferred – Individuals age 0-60 with well-controlled high blood pressure and a reading of 140/85 or less, or those age 61+ with a reading of 150/85, may qualify for a preferred rate class.

Standard Plus – Individuals age 0-60 with well-controlled high blood pressure and a reading of 145/88 or less, or those age 61+ with a reading of 155/88, may qualify for a standard plus rate class.

Standard – Individuals age 0-60 with controlled high blood pressure and a reading of greater than 145/88, or those age 61+ with a reading of greater than 155/88, may qualify for a standard rate class.

Substandard – Individuals with moderately or poorly controlled high blood pressure with reading greater than outlined above and/or associated complications may qualify for a substandard or rated underwriting class. This substandard or rated classification can increase rates significantly above standard.

Decline – Individuals with poorly or uncontrolled high blood pressure and/or associated complications may be declined for coverage. As previously mentioned, applicants decline for coverage based on high blood pressure or other medical conditions are often eligible for guaranteed issue policy options.

As an example of possible life insurance rates, the following illustration provides sample rates for a 10-year level term policy on a 50-year-old male non-smoker at the preferred plus and standard underwriting classes.

When shopping for life insurance with high blood pressure, it is important to select the right insurer. As previously discussed, each insurance company has slightly different underwriting standards related to hypertension and other medical conditions. In addition, some insurers will offer preferred rates to applicants taking blood pressure medication while others will not. Based on our experience, the following companies are great options for individuals with a history of high blood pressure.

Ultimately, it is often possible to qualify for affordable life insurance with a history of high blood pressure. Working with an experienced independent agent can be extremely helpful in navigating the application and approval process.