Life insurance and high blood pressure

High blood pressure is a common health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. If you suffer from high blood pressure, it's important to understand how it can impact your life insurance options.

Can I buy life insurance if I have high blood pressure?

People with high blood pressure can still get life insurance. But there are other factors that come into play. Insurers will also look at your age, lifestyle and medical history to determine your risk of death.

The good news is that insurers understand that high blood pressure can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication. You may find that some insurers are more willing to cover you than others, so it's worth shopping around.

Read more: 7 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Life Insurance

What factors do insurers consider when assessing high blood pressure?

When assessing your risk for life insurance, insurers will take into account health and lifestyle factors, including:

Is high blood pressure classed as a critical illness?

High blood pressure is not classed as a critical illness. A critical illness is usually defined as a severe medical condition that typically requires a long period of treatment. As high blood pressure can be managed, it usually doesn’t require such intense medical care.

You can find examples of critical illnesses usually covered in the Association of British Insurers’ list of minimum standards for critical illness cover. 

However, blood pressure can increase your risk for other serious illnesses such as stroke or heart attack, which could be classed as critical illnesses. This is where having critical illness cover can be beneficial. It can be purchased as an add-on to a life insurance policy or as a standalone policy. 

What are the causes of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, such as:

What are the signs of high blood pressure?

The signs of high blood pressure can be difficult to recognise, as they may not present themselves in obvious ways. Common signs include:

How can I treat high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can be treated through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication. The aim of treatment is to keep your blood pressure within healthy limits.

Making changes to your lifestyle can have a huge impact on reducing and managing high blood pressure. These include:

• Eating a balanced diet low in salt, saturated fat, and added sugar
   

• Regular exercise
   

• Reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption
   

• Quitting smoking
   

• Managing stress levels

If lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your blood pressure. There are various types of medications available. Your doctor can advise the best option for you.

Your options for life insurance

When looking for life insurance, there are several different options available to you. Depending on your needs and circumstances, one of the following may be suitable for you:

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance is a form of permanent life insurance that provides cover for your entire life. It offers the highest level of protection, designed to help you leave a legacy for your family and/or loved ones.

Whole life insurance policies are usually more expensive than other forms of cover but provide a guaranteed payout. The premiums and payout value are fixed over the policy's lifetime, so even as you get older they will remain the same.

Term life insurance

This type of policy is designed to provide a lump sum payment if you die within a specified period. The money can be used to cover funeral costs, outstanding debts or provide financial support for your family/loved ones.

Cover runs over a predetermined period of time, usually between 5 and 30 years, depending on your age. The policy pays out so long as you die within this time. If you survive the policy term you won't receive any benefit. Because of this, premiums are generally cheaper than whole life insurance.

There are 3 types of term life cover:

• Level term - pays out a fixed amount of money if you die within the policy's term. Your premiums are also fixed.
   

• Decreasing term - pays out an amount that decreases over the policy's duration. This type of cover is often used to cover repayment mortgages, as it reflects the decreasing mortgage debt over time. Your premiums are fixed, but are generally cheaper than level term insurance.
   

• Increasing term - this type of policy pays out an increasing amount each year, which reflects inflation or other rising costs. Premiums also increase as a result.

You can also get joint life insurance. This protects two people under one policy, such as married couples, long-term partners and business partners. If one of you dies, the other will receive a payout.

Please note: The insurance products offered by Cavendish Online have no cash-in value at any time. If you stop paying your premiums your cover will stop, your policy will end, and you will receive no benefit. If you have not claimed before the end of your chosen policy term, the policy will end, and no benefit will be paid.

If you are facing financial difficulties and can no longer afford your premiums, please contact your insurer as soon as possible to stop the plan from lapsing automatically. They may have a scheme that allows you to keep the cover.

Get expert advice

If you have high blood pressure it's essential to speak to someone before you apply for life insurance. You may be able to get an affordable policy, although your premiums still may be higher.

If you're unsure about your options, you can speak to one of our experienced advisers. They'll discuss your needs and explain the different types of cover available, so you can find the best policy for you.

This is ideal if you would like an adviser to recommend a policy. And if you currently have or previously have had a medical condition/s, whether well managed or not.