Can you get whole life insurance with high blood pressure?

Asked by: Dr. Hailey Jakubowski  |  Last update: April 9, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (36 votes)

Generally, a person can qualify for life insurance with high blood pressure as long as no other more serious health conditions are present and if they can demonstrate they are following their physician's advice for managing their blood pressure.

Can high blood pressure stop you from getting 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.

Can you have a long life with high blood pressure?

If left untreated, a blood pressure of 180/120 or higher results in an 80% chance of death within one year, with an average survival rate of ten months. Prolonged, untreated high blood pressure can also lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease.

Is hypertension a death sentence?

But high blood pressure isn't a death sentence. Just ask the countless patients who've controlled the “silent killer.” Their progress is in no small part thanks to education and evidence-based medicine, which the American Heart Association (AHA) argues are key to managing blood pressure.

What is the highest blood pressure ever recorded?

The highest pressure recorded in an individual was 370/360. With slow exhalation, the mean BP was 198/175 when the same 100% maximum was lifted (p < . 005).

How To Qualify For Life Insurance With Hypertension High Blood Pressure

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Is high blood pressure considered a heart condition?

High blood pressure is not heart disease on its own. However, having high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular complications and can weaken or damage your heart. Hypertension is one cause of cardiovascular disease—a term that encompasses the heart and blood vessels.

How can I lower my blood pressure for a life insurance test?

So, how can I lower my blood pressure for my insurance test? Drink a few extra glasses of water for a few days before your exam. Try to avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 12 hours before you are examined. Try to avoid drinking alcohol, coffee, and smoking cigarettes before taking your brief exam.

Why would I get turned down for life insurance?

A serious medical condition or poor results from your life insurance medical exam tend to be the most common reasons why people are rejected. Or it might even be non-medical related, with factors like bankruptcy, a criminal record, a positive drug test, or a dangerous hobby all having an impact.

What medical conditions prevent you from getting life insurance?

Due to the added risk health problems create for insurers, some pre-existing conditions can raise your premium or even disqualify you entirely from certain types of life insurance. A few common examples of pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.

How can I get denied life insurance?

If you've been denied coverage before and would still like to get life insurance, here's what you can do.
  1. Work with a licensed insurance agent. ...
  2. Apply with a different insurer. ...
  3. Look into a workplace life insurance plan. ...
  4. Try again later. ...
  5. Consider a different life insurance policy.

What are 3 factors that may affect your life insurance premium?

8 Factors That Affect Life Insurance Premiums
  • Age. Your date of birth is the top factor affecting your life insurance premium. ...
  • Gender. Women tend to live longer than men. ...
  • Health History. ...
  • Family Health History. ...
  • Smoking. ...
  • Hobbies. ...
  • Occupation. ...
  • The Policy.

What is the fastest way to temporarily lower blood pressure?

How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure Immediately?
  1. Take a warm bath or shower. Stay in your shower or bath for at least 15 minutes and enjoy the warm water. ...
  2. Do a breathing exercise. Take a deep breath from your core, hold your breath for about two seconds, then slowly exhale. ...
  3. Relax!

What do life insurance urine tests detect?

A life insurance urine test detects drugs like amphetamines/methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and methadone.

Should I lose weight before applying for life insurance?

The best strategy would be to lose the extra weight before applying for a life insurance policy, says Graves. Being 40 pounds overweight will likely result in higher rates, and every insurer will have higher rates for people 70 pounds or more overweight, he says.

Is high blood pressure considered high risk for Covid?

If you have high blood pressure, it's a good idea to take extra care to protect yourself during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. There is a possibility that having high blood pressure might put you at greater risk for severe illness and death with COVID-19.

Is high blood pressure a disability?

The SSA does not consider high blood pressure a disability. There is no longer a disability listing for high blood pressure in the SSA's list of impairments that qualifies someone for Social Security disability benefits.

What is considered stroke level high blood pressure?

Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are considered stroke-level, dangerously high, and require immediate medical attention.

Why do life insurance companies take blood and urine?

Blood and urine tests during a life insurance medical test screen for dozens of health indicators and conditions, such as: HIV and AIDS. Sexually transmitted diseases. Cholesterol, including LDL and HDL, and triglycerides (poor levels correlated with heart disease)

Do drugs show up in a full blood count?

Drugs in blood are typically detectable within minutes to hours, depending on the drug and the dose, versus one to several days in urine. Blood drug screen tests are performed on whole blood specimens using immunoassay screening with reflex to definitive testing.

Should you fast before life insurance blood work?

When you schedule the life insurance physical, ask the examiner if you should fast for eight hours before the exam. Just as some labs want you to fast before getting your cholesterol tested, it may be a wise move before the life insurance medical exam.

Can drinking lots of water lower blood pressure?

Something as simple as keeping yourself hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water every day improves blood pressure. Water makes up 73% of the human heart,¹ so no other liquid is better at controlling blood pressure.

Does walking lower blood pressure immediately?

Ten minutes of brisk or moderate walking three times a day

Exercise lowers blood pressure by reducing blood vessel stiffness so blood can flow more easily. The effects of exercise are most noticeable during and immediately after a workout. Lowered blood pressure can be most significant right after you work out.

Does putting your feet up lower blood pressure?

Elevating your legs can help lower the pressure in your legs by allowing blood that has pooled to drain away. If you've been standing for a while, sitting down with your legs raised can also help ease pressure and tenderness of tired feet.

What conditions make life insurance more expensive?

Health has a huge impact on life insurance quotes. Applicants with certain health conditions are considered riskier to insure because they're more likely to have a life insurance payout sooner.
...
Health
  • Your medical history. ...
  • Height and weight. ...
  • Risky behaviors. ...
  • Family medical history.

When might term insurance be a better option than whole life insurance?

If you only need life insurance for a relatively short period of time (such as only when you have minor children to raise), term may be better as the premiums are more affordable. If you need permanent coverage that lasts your entire life, whole life is likely preferred.