Life insurance and high blood pressure

High blood pressure is when the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is higher than it should be. Over time, this extra pressure can make the heart work harder and can damage the blood vessels.

Understanding blood pressure readings

Hypertension is diagnosed by measuring your blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

• Systolic pressure, which is the top or first number in a blood pressure reading, indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
•  Diastolic pressure, which is the bottom or second number, indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. ^{Footnote [1]}  

A normal blood pressure is typically considered to be between 90/60 mmHg and 130/85 mmHg. A high blood pressure reading is usually consistently above 140/90 mmHg, but this can vary based on individual health conditions and other factors. ^{Footnote [1]}  

High blood pressure can develop for many different reasons, often due to a mix of lifestyle influences and underlying health factors, such as:

• age
• ethnicity – risk is higher for people of Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnic backgrounds
• an unhealthy, high salt diet
• being overweight
• smoking
• drinking too much alcohol
• long-term stress ^{Footnote [1]}  

If you’ve already got high or bordering high blood pressure, check out our article on lowering your blood pressure.

Usually if your blood pressure reading is 140/90mmHg or more at a GP or clinic then your life insurance provider would consider you to have high blood pressure, although this can vary depending on your age.

But it’s worth noting that your blood pressure can fluctuate depending on the time of day you have the test, and even where you’re having the test. Testing at home can sometimes lead to a lower reading, as it’s a place where you feel most comfortable. So, you may be asked to test your blood pressure at home as well as at the doctors. ^{Footnote [2]}  

Yes, you can get life insurance with high blood pressure. Insurers will look at how well your condition is managed and any other health factors you have. Here’s what you need to know:

• If your high blood pressure is well-managed with medication and lifestyle changes, you’re likely to get better rates. Insurers will want to see recent readings and evidence that your condition is under control.
• The severity of your high blood pressure and how consistently you manage it are crucial. Regular check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can positively influence your premiums.
• Insurers will consider your overall health, including any related conditions like diabetes or heart disease. It’s essential to give them accurate answers to any questions they may have. If you don’t, your policy could be cancelled, and any claims could be denied.

If you’re ever unsure about the terms of your life insurance policy, we’re here to help. For tailored advice, you should speak to your financial adviser. If you don't have an adviser, MoneyHelper provides up-to-date resources to help you find regulated advisers at moneyhelper.org.uk/choosing-a-financial-adviser/ or call 0800 011 3797. Advisers may charge for their advice, but there are usually a number of ways to pay.

High blood pressure can affect your life insurance premiums, but the impact will vary depending on your insurer.

This is because high blood pressure can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, strokes, and kidney problems if not managed properly. This makes it riskier for insurers to cover people with high blood pressure, so they may increase their prices to balance out that risk.

Other factors, such as age, overall health, and lifestyle choices, also influence your premiums.

Yes, you can potentially lower your life insurance premiums by improving and managing your blood pressure prior to purchasing a life insurance policy.

As high blood pressure is considered to be a pre-existing condition, you will need to let your insurer know about it before you start your life insurance policy. This is an ideal time to discuss your efforts to manage and improve your blood pressure. Your insurer can provide guidance on how this might affect your premiums.