Can I be denied life insurance for high cholesterol?

Asked by: Adrienne Zemlak  |  Last update: July 14, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (66 votes)

Because high cholesterol can put you at risk for heart attacks and strokes, two of the leading causes of death in the U.S., insurance companies consider it a risk factor. If your cholesterol is particularly high, not well controlled with medication or if you have other health issues, you might even be denied coverage.

Is high cholesterol a pre-existing condition for insurance?

High cholesterol as diagnosed by a physician is considered to be a pre-existing condition by most - if not all - travel insurers. Ensure you tell your insurer about any pre-existing conditions before you take out the policy.

Will high triglycerides affect life insurance?

GOOD NEWS IF YOU ARE OVER 65. If you're over 65, high triglyceride levels are more common, so they matter less for life insurance underwriting.

Is high cholesterol considered high risk?

Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries.

Is high cholesterol a medical condition?

Too much bad cholesterol can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other problems. The medical term for high blood cholesterol is lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia.

Can I Still Be Insured if I Have High Cholesterol?

45 related questions found

What is the best drink to lower cholesterol?

Best drinks to improve cholesterol
  1. Green tea. Green tea contains catechins and other antioxidant compounds that seem to help lower “bad” LDL and total cholesterol levels. ...
  2. Soy milk. Soy is low in saturated fat. ...
  3. Oat drinks. ...
  4. Tomato juice. ...
  5. Berry smoothies. ...
  6. Drinks containing sterols and stanols. ...
  7. Cocoa drinks. ...
  8. Plant milk smoothies.

How do you feel when cholesterol is high?

Chest pain or angina

Regular chest pain that is not heartburn, though, is a likely sign that you have high cholesterol. With that in mind, you should look to take part in more physical exercise – and also spend some time looking at your diet.

Is 300 cholesterol too high?

An ideal total cholesterol level ranges from 140 to 200mg/dl. When it reaches 300, the risk of having a heart attack more than doubles.

Is 500 a high cholesterol?

A level of 500 mg/dL is considered high. Although cholesterol has several essential functions in the body, high cholesterol puts you at greater risk for heart disease. Your total cholesterol is calculated by adding your LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and 20% of triglyceride levels.

Is 263 cholesterol level high?

Levels and ranges

In adults, total cholesterol levels less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are considered healthy. A reading between 200 and 239 mg/dL is borderline high. A reading of 240 mg/dL and above is considered high.

Does high blood pressure affect life insurance?

Generally, blood pressure of 130-139 over 80-89 is considered high by insurance underwriters. Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher may impact your rates, while a reading over 180 can disqualify you for a policy.

What does a high LDL cholesterol mean?

LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, makes up most of your body's cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.

What is considered high cholesterol for travel insurance?

Generally, a healthy cholesterol level is considered to be a total cholesterol (TC) level of fewer than 5 millimoles per litre (mmol/L), and anything over this would be deemed a high cholesterol level.

Is high blood pressure considered pre-existing condition?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is an example of one such common pre-existing condition affecting more than 33 million adults under 65.

Does being on statins affect travel insurance?

Taking statins shouldn't increase your travel insurance premium, but if you find it does and you're caught in negotiations over price, take a step back to compare your options.

Can you live a long life with high cholesterol?

Untreated or undertreated high cholesterol is associated with a lower life span due to the risk of heart attack and stroke, but it's still possible to live a long life with high cholesterol, provided you follow a heart-healthy lifestyle and take medication if needed.

What is stroke level cholesterol?

Levels of LDL cholesterol higher than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are linked to an increased risk for ischemic stroke.

What is the highest cholesterol level ever recorded?

Terry Culton (USA) was measured to have a triglyceride reading of 3165 mg/dl, 21 times the normal level of 150 mg/dl, based on a sample of his blood taken to measure his cholesterol on 3 June 1998 at Austin Medical Center, Minnesota, USA.

Can anxiety increase your cholesterol?

High levels of cortisol from long-term stress may be the mechanism behind how stress can increase cholesterol. Adrenaline may also be released, and these hormones can trigger a “fight or flight” response to deal with the stress. This response will then trigger triglycerides, which can boost “bad” cholesterol.

How can I lower my cholesterol in 7 days?

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  1. Eat heart-healthy foods. A few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health: ...
  2. Exercise on most days of the week and increase your physical activity. Exercise can improve cholesterol. ...
  3. Quit smoking. ...
  4. Lose weight. ...
  5. Drink alcohol only in moderation.

How long does it take for cholesterol to go down?

Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women's Health at the NYU Langone Medical Center, says it can take between three to six months to see lower LDL numbers through just diet and exercise, noting that it takes longer to see changes in women than men.

Can high cholesterol be cured?

You can treat high cholesterol with healthy lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and weight loss and, sometimes, medications too. Your cholesterol treatment plan is done on a case-by-case basis, based on: Your blood cholesterol test results. Your age, family history of high cholesterol, or heart problems.

Does high cholesterol cause weight gain?

And not all high cholesterol foods are bad for you. For example, eggs are high in cholesterol, but they're also packed with protein and other nutrients. It's the foods that are high in saturated fat that you need to worry about, because they can raise your cholesterol levels AND make you gain weight.

How can I lower my cholesterol in 30 days?

5 Easy Steps to Reduce Cholesterol in 30 Days
  1. Switch to a Mediterranean Diet. ...
  2. Increase Exercise. ...
  3. Supplement Fiber. ...
  4. Lose Weight. ...
  5. Drink Alcohol in Moderation. ...
  6. Let South Denver Cardiology Associates Help.