Written by Kim Wilhelm
Verified! See guidelines
Verified! See our editorial guidelines
Last Updated 20 Apr 2024
According to the American Heart Association, almost half of the U.S. population has high blood pressure and many don’t even realize they have it.
The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked. If not treated, high blood pressure, or hypertension, can cause circulatory system damage and is the leading contributor to heart attacks and strokes. High blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because there are not any obvious symptoms before death occurs.
Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers, the systolic, or upper number and the diastolic, or lower number. A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80. Anything over 130/80 is considered stage 1 hypertension.
If you don’t already have life insurance, can you get it with high blood pressure? With so many Americans facing hypertension numbers, you may be surprised at what you can get approved for with high blood pressure.Can I Get Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure?
Yes, depending on your blood pressure numbers and other health factors, you can get life insurance with high blood pressure. If you are in good health without other significant pre-existing conditions, you could get standard or better life insurance rates.
Those with stage 2 hypertension, or numbers 140/90 or higher, run the highest risk of being denied, especially if there are other health concerns, like being overweight or a smoker.
When you apply for life insurance using the traditional process, be prepared to provide details about your high blood pressure, including:
- Date of diagnosis
- Your treatment plan
- How you’re controlling it (medication, diet, exercise, not smoking, etc.)
- If you’re a tobacco user
The better controlled your high blood pressure, the more likely you are to get approved at the best rate.
A Must Read: The Best Final Expense Insurance Companies
What Factors Do Life Insurance Companies Look At?
After you submit your life insurance application, the underwriters verify your medical and personal history, including driving record using:
- Attending physician statements
- Hospital records
- Medical exam results
- Medical Information Bureau
- Prescription (RX) records
Each company uses different blood pressure guidelines, and for seniors 60 and older, they usually allow higher blood pressure readings. This means that even if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you can usually get approved easier than younger age groups.
What Life Insurance Riders Should I Consider with High Blood Pressure?
A life insurance rider is an endorsement you can add to your life insurance policy. Some are free while others have a small cost to add them.
If you have high blood pressure, you are more likely to be diagnosed with a chronic, critical, or terminal illness. An accelerated death benefit rider, also called a living benefit rider, is a great option to consider.
Best Life Insurance Companies with *High Blood Pressure
- American Home Life Insurance - Best if not on medication
- Prosperity Life Group
- Baltimore Life Companies - Best if controlled over 24 mo
- Mutual of Omaha
- AIG
* The "best company" depends on other health factors as well as age, state of residency, and coverage desired. For your best chance to be approved with low rates, speak to one of our experienced insurance professionals.
To get started, click here for a quote now.
If you’re diagnosed with a chronic, critical, or terminal illness, the living benefit rider allows you to advance a portion of the death benefit while you’re still living. You can use the money or whatever you want and you don’t have to pay it back. Any amount advanced reduces the death benefit amount paid to your beneficiary when you die.
Do I Have to Take a Medical Exam to be Approved?
No, you don’t have to take a medical exam to be approved for life insurance with high blood pressure.
In fact, if you have other health concerns, you may get a better rate WITHOUT taking a medical exam!
How is this possible? When you buy life insurance the traditional way, the company’s underwriting team determines how much you pay by your risk class using your application, database verification, and medical exam results.
With hypertension, you’ll be lucky to get the standard rate, with many getting substandard rates.
Substandard = expensive life insurance!
The Final Expense Direct Difference - Getting You Approved for Life Insurance at a Great Rate!
At Final Expense Direct, we work with all age groups, but especially seniors, to find affordable life insurance without a medical exam.
Our agents work a simple 4-step process to get you the life insurance coverage you need:
- Call us at 1-877-674-0236
- Speak with an agent directly. No automated system or push button bingo here.
- Discuss your life insurance needs, budget, and health with the agent, who will help you decide on the best plan.
- Get approved right over the phone.
Yes, at Final Expense Direct, you can get approved in just one phone call! We have over 35 years experience helping God fearing Americans like yourself get the best rates from the top final expense life insurance companies.
Why wait weeks after an invasive medical phone interview and exam to find out if you're approved or denied, and how much it’ll cost for coverage?
Call us today at Final Expense Direct and get an answer TODAY!
Whatever you think final expense costs...
It's probably less.
No money down • No medical exam
FAQ Getting Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure
How to Lower Blood Pressure for Life Insurance Exam?
If you want to buy life insurance with a medical exam and worry about high blood pressure, there are some things you can do to lower your blood pressure for the life insurance exam. Exercising regularly or increasing your general activity levels will help, especially when you focus on heart-healthy cardio exercises to get your blood pumping. You should also prioritize meditating or doing yoga and getting quality sleep each night. Eating potassium-rich foods and reducing your sodium intake can also lower your blood pressure.
What to do if I’m Denied Life Insurance?
If you get denied life insurance, don’t panic. Just because one company doesn’t think you’re the right fit doesn’t mean another company will. If you’ve been denied life insurance, call our agents at Final Expense Direct so they can help you get approved, often without a medical exam.
How do Life Insurance Companies Check Medical Background?
When you apply for life insurance, companies check your medical background and records using online databases to determine your risk class and whether to approve or deny coverage. The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is a data warehouse underwriters use to confirm your application answers and responses to underwriting telephone interviews. They will also conduct a prescription check to verify any prescriptions you’re currently taking or recently stopped.
Related:
The Lord Is Calling Me Home - What Happens If You Die With No Money And No Life Insurance?
