1. 60 POINTS
    Rebecca Pollack
    You can get life insurance if you have high blood pressure. The factor that insurance companies look for when it comes to high blood pressure is how many medications that you take to keep it under control. If your doctor has you on more than one prescription for high blood pressure, it means that it is not under control. When your blood pressure is not under control, it can lead to a stroke.

    Most of the time, there are limited opportunities for insurance if you have had a stroke recently. However, there are easy issue policies that don’t ask about how many medications you are taking. These policies usually have a higher premium because they ask less health questions.

    Most insurance companies will also put a cap on the benefit for these policies. Make sure that your agent knows your complete health situation so that she can find you a policy that you will be able to qualify for. There are definitely a lot of options for you when you have high blood pressure. If you are on several medications for blood pressure, talk to your doctor and see how you would be able to get down to one. Most of the time he will suggest that you diet and exercise. It is a serious matter so listen to what your doctor is telling you.
    Answered on February 20, 2013
  2. 11783 POINTS
    Larry GilmorePRO
    Agent Owner, Gilmore Insurance Services, Marysville, Washington State
    High blood pressure is actually a situation where if you have it, and you have it under control, longer is better. Why? A good history of control gives the underwriter reassurance that you are good management of the situation. There actually would be more underwriting concern if you were newly diagnosed as you haven't had a chance to build a medical history of control.

    While HBP would eliminate a preferred best classification with allmost all companies. Good control, good health history (in other health aspects as well as BP) would still allow someone searching for coverage to obtain good rates and classification for coverage.
    Answered on March 9, 2013
  3. 365 POINTS
    Lee Martinez
    Owner, The Sentry Agency, California
    Your blood pressure would have to be very high and or erratic for you not to qualify for any coverage. Also depends the type of plan you are looking for. Small burial type plans are very forgiving on issues like high blood pressure. If the the blood pressure is controlled by medications and other health history is good many people can qualify for preferred rates. Note that each company has their own range of pressures that qualify.
    Answered on April 5, 2013
  4. 3485 POINTS
    J Scott BurkePRO
    President, Newbury Inc., Evansville, Indiana
    If your high blood pressure has been well controlled with medication for several years, you will have no problem at all qualifying for life insurance with just about any company you want.

    If it is out of control even on meds you will have more problems. Your insurance broker can shop any health condition. For you and find you a good rate.
    Answered on April 15, 2013
  5. 61667 POINTS
    Steve Savant
    Syndicated Financial Columnist, Host of the weekly talk show Steve Savant's Money, the Name of the Game, Scottsdale Arizona
    You can secure life insurance coverage even with high blood pressure. Assuming there are no other medical items, managed high blood pressure under the care of a doctor can be underwritten quite favorably. And keep in mind that some carriers draw a distinction between hyper tension and high blood pressure, i.e don't define yourself...your doctor will do that for you.
    Answered on September 13, 2013
  6. 63333 POINTS
    Peggy Mace
    Most of the U.S.
    Some companies ask whether your blood pressure exceed an average reading over the past years. Some ask if it ever went over a maximum reading during the past few years. If you have had problems keeping your hypertension under control, it is important to apply with the carrier that best phrases that question to your benefit.
    Answered on September 30, 2013
  7. 14231 POINTS
    Tom Sheehan
    Agency Owner, The Thomas G Sheehan Agency, 27 Glen Road Sandy Hook, CT 06482
    Having high blood pressure in and of itself, will probably not keep you from obtaining Life Insurance especially if you are under medical care and it is controlled. Depending upon the company's underwriting guidelines, it may be that coverage would be offerd to you at a higher rate than say someone else your age who has "normal" bloodpressure. HIgh blood pressure in combination with other factors such as age, health issues or history may affect a company's ability to offer coverage, but as always, talk to your Insurance Professional.
    Answered on January 6, 2015
  8. 37376 POINTS
    David G. Pipes, CLU®, RICP®
    Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
    If you recall a “bell shaped curve” you know that most people are somewhere in the middle. Now, think of all the things that can happen to people and realize that the “standard rates” for life insurance are designed for the people that are somewhere near the middle. Can someone with high blood pressure get life insurance? I think that many companies will handle that, however, the rate may not be “standard.” They are not necessarily a “standard risk.”
    Answered on January 6, 2015
  9. 21750 POINTS
    Jim Winkler
    CEO/Owner, Winkler Financial Group, Houston, Texas
    That is a great question! Many people think that with a health issue like high blood pressure or diabetes that they will be denied coverage, or that it will be prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, that is rarely the case. Most companies will overlook diabetes and high blood pressure if they are controlled, and managed well by medications and a healthy lifestyle. In cases where they are more of an issue, there are still policies that are easily qualified for. Find a good independent agent near you, and have them walk you through the process of finding the best policy for you. Thanks for asking!
    Answered on January 26, 2015
  10. 10968 POINTS
    Tim Wilhoit
    Owner, Your Friend 4 Life, Brentwood TN
    High blood pressure has it's own set of circumstances. The diagnosis requires more information. Underwriters like to see control of two years or more either with or without medication. It is not uncommon to take up to a year just to control readings. The magic normal range which is 120/80 or as near as possible for a two year or more period can result in a standard issue premium on most life insurance policies.
    Answered on February 23, 2015
  11. 5877 POINTS
    Stan Cox II
    Insurance Adviser - Broker, SC Insurance Services, Oahu, Hawaii
    The simple answer is 'Yes'...but it depends... Most of my clients have high blood pressure and were able to be insured no problem. As long as it's controlled it really doesn't present an obstacle to getting insurance. I haven't had to deal with this scenario as yet, but I imagine it could become an issue if it is extreme high BP, but not insurmountable. At worse case, I believe, the individual would be "rated" and a corresponding increase in premium would be applied.
    Answered on May 7, 2015
  12. 2777 POINTS
    Terry A. McCarthy, CLU, ChFC
    President, Insurance Associates Agency Inc., West Chester, OH
    Life insurance companies have taken the stance that if you can control your blood pressure using reasonable methods of medication or diet or otherwise, you can probably buy life insurance. It is more complicated than that but controlling your blood pressure is the starting point. You won't likely buy life insurance without an increased premium when you suffer from blood pressure control issues. If you can demonstrate a history of making and taking the steps necessary to return to a more normal state, underwriters will tend to issue coverage when you show a history of blood pressure maintenance in a normal range. The totality of your health picture is important. If you are overweight with blood pressure issues, or smoking and have high blood pressure, have other medical conditions along with high blood pressure, for example, these other complications lowers the chance you'll get coverage or a rate you find attractive. WIth more and more underwriting looking at family history and genetics, and with solid medical success treating blood pressure, underwriters and carriers are more willing to write life insurance for clients with high blood pressure controlled to within striking distance of normal pressure levels.
    Answered on July 6, 2015
  13. 102 POINTS
    Anthony Griffin
    High blood pressure is a common affliction, so common in fact that it affects tens of millions of people. Life insurance companies however consider it to be an additional risk factor when providing policies. In most cases, even if you have high blood pressure, you will be able to get life insurance, but the premiums might be higher than they would be for a person who does not have it. In some extreme instances, an insurance company might even decline your life insurance application as a result of your blood pressure. Much depends upon the company that you apply to for insurance. There are many different companies, and each tends to have a somewhat different view of the significance of high blood pressure.
    Answered on August 6, 2015
  14. 246 POINTS
    Ronald Mesler
    We Protect Doctors, LLC, Boise, ID
    Great question!

    Can you get coverage if you have high blood pressure (HBP)? I did! This is a very common condition and many applicants can get coverage at favorable rates IF they are controlling it. The insurer will look at your health factors and if you are following medical advice. Do yourself a huge favor and also work on your underlying factors that you can control such as weight and exercise. Your efforts for better health will also likely make you a more attractive insurance candidate!
    Answered on March 29, 2016
  15. 1185 POINTS
    Scott W Johnson
    Manager, Marindependent Insurance Services LLC, California
    Yes You can get life insurance if you have high blood pressure.

    Call a life insurance specialist to assist you in this matter. Generally speaking someone that works with more than one company may be able to have more options for you.

    Thank you so much for the question.
    Answered on January 10, 2017
  16. 30 POINTS
    John J. Doolan
    President/General Agent, Northeast Insurance Brokers, NEW JERSEY
    High Blood Pressure that something that needs to be addressed with a Physician as the Risk Factors are quite substantial. Yes, you can secure a Life Insurance Offer but the rate you will be charged will depend on your Level of Control, your Medical History and if you are under the regular care of a Physician. Hypertension can be controlled and lowered and if I am working with a Client with very high readings, I will recommend that they see their Physician and get on a regimen to lower their readings. When their reading do come down, they can apply and could receive a better rate. Lastly, different Life Insurance Companies have different Underwriting Philosophies and some are more stringent than others. It is imperative to deal with an Insurance Professional who knows the Markets, knows what they are doing and have relationships with Underwriters. I do.
    Answered on February 11, 2017
  17. 1185 POINTS
    Scott W Johnson
    Manager, Marindependent Insurance Services LLC, California
    In general, yes you should be able to get life insurance if you have high blood pressure.

    What is important to know is if the situation is being treated and with what medications. Make sure you review all of this with a life insurance specialist wen you apply.

    Best of Luck
    Answered on March 7, 2017
  18. 155 POINTS
    Marcus Nichelson
    Independent Agent, Tipton Hill Insurance, Kansas City, MO
    Absolutely! The biggest factors are the type and frequency of the medication and your medical history surrounding hypertension(high BP). With today's scientific research, this condition is becoming less and less of an issue(in general) for placing applicants in a standard/preferred/super-preferred level, and just more FYI for Life Insurance companies as they look at your broader medical history.
    Answered on February 28, 2018
  19. 196 POINTS
    Michael Richardson
    Owner /Agent, Guardian Senior Protection, Dallas Fort Worth Texas
    Life insurance companies don't punish you for taking blood pressure medication. If you're avoiding it and have an elevated blood pressure and the premiums will certainly take a serious hit.If you're being treated and your blood pressure is well-controlled, you may qualify for the best rates if you were otherwise in excellent health. All companies have different underwriting guidelines.
    Answered on March 22, 2019
  20. 216 POINTS
    Walker Bolin
    Insurance agent, Bolin Insurance, Natick MA
    Life insurance companies are going to consider your prescription history when evaluating the risk of high blood pressure. If they see a recent change in the dosage or new prescriptions they will most likely consider it an uncontrolled and high risk. If you have had the same prescription(s) and dose for 2+ years you may still qualify for a good rate. Make sure your broker has many carriers to choose from and is knowledgeable about underwriting to find the best terms.
    Answered on December 11, 2019
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