How High Blood Pressure Affects Life Insurance: What You Should Know

If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you might wonder how it will impact your life insurance rates.

The good news is that you can still secure affordable coverage. This article will explain how life insurance companies assess heart conditions like high blood pressure, how they affect your rates, and provide tips on how to get a great deal.

When you apply for life insurance, underwriters will consider several factors to assess your risk level. High blood pressure is just one part of the picture. Here’s how companies evaluate it:

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.

Blood pressure is measured with two numbers:

Systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). The lower these numbers are, the better.

For example, a reading of 120/80 is considered normal. Life insurance companies have guidelines that determine how they classify your blood pressure.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

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

The American Heart Association has a great article about high blood pressure categories if you want to know how your BP control compares to others.

The higher your blood pressure, the more likely your life insurance premiums will be affected. However, having blood pressure in the Stage 1 Hypertension range might not drastically raise your rates if well-controlled.

If you’re on medication to control your blood pressure, insurers will consider that. Some companies will still offer their best rates even if you’re on medication, while others may have stricter rules.

The key is showing that your condition is managed and under control.

Life insurance companies will also assess your overall health, not just your blood pressure.

Do you have other conditions like heart blocks, abnormal EKG history, etc? If you have a pacemaker, underwriting will factor that into rates.

If you have mitral valve prolapse, regurgitation, or stenosis, underwriting will be based on that condition.

If you have other health conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease, this could impact your rates. Insurers use this information to evaluate your overall risk.

Getting to the right companies is important, as you will miss out on the best rates if you are just slightly over the limit.

Your blood pressure is a major factor in determining your life insurance rates. Insurers classify applicants based on how well they control their blood pressure.

Here are some examples:

The concern underwriters have about hypertension is the increased risk of heart attacks, AFib, stroke, heart conditions, and kidney deterioration.

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 hypertension means it’s due to an underlying disease or condition, such as kidney problems, thyroid conditions, and other health issues.

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, aortic stenosis, etc.

In some cases, you can readings in the 150/100 range and still get approved…you’ll receive a table-rated offer.

If you’re looking to qualify for the best life insurance policies and rates, here’s a breakdown by life insurance company. Most insurers average your past two years and the paramed exam results.

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

Although rare, life insurance can be denied if your blood pressure is extremely high or uncontrolled.

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 or cardiomyopathy diagnosis.
• 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 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.

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

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

• 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.

You have questions about life insurance for hypertension, and we have the answers!

Having high blood pressure doesn’t mean you can’t get life insurance, and I’m here to help you find the best options.

As your agent, I’ll help you compare rates, find a company that fits your health profile, and navigate the process.

Don’t hesitate to reach out—let’s get started on securing the life insurance you deserve at a price that works for you.