You’ve come to the right place if you have high blood pressure and need life insurance.
20+ life insurance companies provide their best rate, even if you take medication!
We match you with the best life insurance companies based on your medical history.
How Life Insurers Evaluate High Blood Pressure
When you have a history of hypertension, life insurance underwriting looks at the following factors:
- Your Age
- Blood Pressure Readings & Averages
- Medications
- Overall Health History
Life insurance companies publish blood pressure guidelines, including cutoffs and medication rules, so you know upfront which rate class you qualify for.
Getting to the right companies is important, as you will miss out on the best rates if you are just slightly over the limit.
The Impact of Blood Pressure on Life Insurance Rates
High blood pressure does affect life insurance, especially if you are trying to qualify for the best underwriting rate classes.
Some examples:
BP 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.
BP 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!
BP 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.
The concern underwriters have about hypertension is the increased risk of heart attacks, AFib, stroke, heart conditions, and kidney deterioration.
Underwriters also look at conditions like diabetes and asthma.
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.
| 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 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.
Other Blood Pressure Related Info
Less commonly, we see clients with hypotension – low blood pressure. Hypotension does not typically cause a problem unless other underlying health conditions exist.
Another consideration for underwriting is pulse pressure, especially in older ages.
Pulse pressure (PP) is the number you get by subtracting the diastolic reading from its systolic counterpart. Therefore, if your BP is 140/90, your pulse pressure is normal at 50 (140-90). When your pulse pressure is 70 or higher, it is generally held to be too high and usually reflects stiffening of the arteries.1
Companies will factor in your overall health when determining your rate.
Finding the Best Companies for High Blood Pressure Applicants
If you’re looking to qualify for the best life insurance policies and 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.
2024 Blood Pressure Underwriting Guidelines by Company
| 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 |
| Brighthouse – Up to Age 40 (no Rx) | 130/80 | 140/85 |
| Brighthouse – Age 41-54 (no Rx) | 135/85 | 140/85 |
| Brighthouse – Age 55-69 (no Rx) | 140/85 | 140/90 |
| Brighthouse – Age 70+ (no Rx) | 140/90 | 145/90 |
| Cincinnati Life – Age 0-60 | 135/85 | 140/85 |
| Cincinnati Life – Age 61+ | 145/85 | 150/90 |
| Equitable – < Age 60 | 140/85 | 145/90 |
| Equitable – Age 60-69 | 150/90 | 150/90 |
| Equitable – Age 0-69 if treated | 125/80 | n/a |
| Foresters | <135/80 (no Rx) | <140/90 |
| 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 |
| Nationwide – Up to Age 55 | 140/80 (no Rx) | 145/90 |
| Nationwide – Age 55+ | 140/90 (no Rx) | 150/90 |
| North American | 135/85 | 140/90 |
| North American – Age 71+ | 140/85 | 150/90 |
| 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 |
| Sagicor – Up to Age 50 (no Rx) | 135/85 | 140/90 |
| Sagicor – Age 51+ (no Rx) | 140/85 | 140/90 |
| 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 |
Benefit # 1 – High Blood Pressure Saves More Here!
Regardless of your blood pressure history, we have companies and options available.
We’ll ensure 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
If you have other health conditions like epilepsy, cancer history diabetes or more, let us know as we can help.
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 BP medications and want the best rate class.
- American National
- AAA
- Brighthouse Financial
- Equitable
- Nationwide
- Augustar Financial – Ohio National
- Primerica
- Sagicor
Can I Be Denied Life Insurance Due to 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.
You may not get the best rates if your blood pressure is elevated above the preferred best cutoff ranges.
Managing High Blood Pressure for Better Life Insurance Rates
Blood pressure consists of two measurements.
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is the maximum pressure schieved during systole, the period of contraction of the heart, especially in the ventricles. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is the minimum pressure occurring at the end of diastole, the relaxation phase of the heartbeat.
The systolic is the top number and the diastolic is the bottom number.
We can look at managing hypertension control from two points of view.
Short Term – How do you get the best results on your paramed exam? We wrote an extensive guide about paramed exams that provides tips to ensure the best results on your exam.
Long-Term – How do you achieve better overall control to improve your life insurance rates in the future?
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.
FAQ
You have questions about life insurance for hypertension, and we have the answers!
Final Thoughts
When you have high blood pressure, it’s important to know your medical history.
With that information, we can guide you to the best life insurance companies.
All types of life insurance are available, including term, universal and whole life.
Please take a few minutes to submit your request today. Thank you.
- Underwriting – What Every Producer Must Know – by Hank George, FALU, CLU, FLMI ↩︎
