Can I Get Life Insurance After a Heart Attack?

A heart attack can be a frightening experience. In addition to the health impacts and recovery time, you may wonder if a heart attack can impact your ability to get life insurance to help protect your loved ones. Fortunately, a heart attack does not necessarily prevent you from getting a policy. Eligibility will depend on the insurer's underwriting guidelines and your individual circumstances. This article will explain how getting life insurance works after having a heart attack and explore some tips to help make the process of getting coverage easier.

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Is it possible to get life insurance after a heart attack?

You can still get a life insurance policy after a heart attack. However, experiencing a heart attack implies increased risk, which can impact your premiums. Insurers may have additional restrictions for those who recently had a heart attack, such as capping the total coverage amount you can purchase.¹ Keep in mind that these restrictions can vary by insurer, and some may not have any.

Factors that can affect life insurance rates after a heart attack

Several factors can impact your potential life insurance rates after a heart attack, including:

When the heart attack occurred

When your heart attack occurred plays a significant role in insurance rates. The longer it has been since the heart attack, the less risky you may appear to insurers. Therefore, if you had a heart attack several years ago, it may not influence your premiums as much.

Your overall health

Insurers will evaluate your overall health alongside an instance of a heart attack. They’ll examine related health data such as:

Blood pressure
Cholesterol levels
Weight
Other pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes)

Good health markers may positively influence premium offers. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle can help improve these health markers and show the insurer you’re making an effort to stay healthy and avoid further issues.

Smoking status

Smoking status is a substantial factor in life insurance underwriting, even in those with perfect health otherwise. This is because smoking is linked to many health conditions, including heart disease.² Quitting smoking may improve eligibility for more favorable premium rates. Insurers vary in what they classify as nonsmokers, but in general, anyone who has not used smoking or tobacco products for at least one year will be considered a nonsmoker.³

Your age

Premiums generally increase with age, regardless of health status. Younger policyholders may be able to secure competitive rates after a heart attack due to their longer life expectancy than older policyholders.

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Types of life insurance policies you may qualify for after a heart attack

Those who recently had heart attacks still have several options for getting the life insurance coverage they need:

Term life insurance

Term life insurance offers a fixed coverage period, usually 10, 20, or 30 years. If you outlive the policy, you may need to renew coverage or buy a new policy to maintain coverage.

Term life insurance can be a very cost-effective policy option, offering reasonable premiums for a large death benefit. This policy may be useful if you want the most coverage while mitigating the impact of a heart attack on your life insurance premiums.

Permanent life insurance

Permanent life insurance policies cost more than term life insurance for the same death benefit. However, these policies cover you for life and offer a cash value growth component.

Each premium payment help grow your cash value, which earns tax-deferred interest or gains, depending on your permanent policy type. Also, you may be able to access available cash value through withdrawals or policy loans. Loan terms and interest rates vary by policy. Surrendering your policy lets you receive the full cash value minus surrender charges. Several types of permanent life insurance are available:

Whole life insurance: This policy provides lifelong coverage with a fixed death benefit and level premiums. The cash value grows at a low, fixed, guaranteed rate.

Universal life insurance: This permanent plan offers the same benefits as whole life insurance but offers adjustable premiums and death benefits.

Indexed universal life insurance: This policy lets you invest your cash value into certain index-tracking funds. This helps to balance risk and reward by offering diversified exposure to markets.

Life insurance with no medical exam

Applicants who recently had a heart attack may want to avoid life insurance medical exams. Some applicants may qualify for no-exam life insurance products. However, health history may still be considered during underwriting and can affect eligibility and premiums. Plus, skipping the medical exam can shorten the underwriting process.⁴ Several no-exam policies are available, including:

Final expense insurance: This small whole life policy helps cover end-of-life costs, such as funeral expenses. It offers a small death benefit, lifelong coverage, a cash value component, and premiums that may fit within your budget. It also offers a cash value growth component. There is no exam, but you may have to answer medical questions on the application.

Simplified issue life insurance: This policy offers a small death benefit, a quick application process, lifelong coverage, competitive rates, and a cash value component. You may have to answer some medical questions on the application.

Guaranteed issue life insurance: This small permanent policy approves all applicants and doesn’t require an exam. It has a small death benefit, cost-effective premiums, lifelong coverage, and a cash value component. However, this policy also has a one to two-year waiting period. If you pass away during this period, your beneficiaries will receive a refund of premiums instead of a death benefit payout.

What information will life insurance companies need when I apply for a policy?

Insurers require you to provide medical records and a health history when applying for most policies. In addition, they will ask several health questions on life insurance applications for most types of life insurance. Here are some questions you may see related to the heart attack and your heart health:¹

When did the heart attack happen?
What treatment did you receive for the heart attack?
What heart medications are you taking, and what are their dosages?
Do you have any other underlying health conditions?

If you have to take a medical exam, the examiner will gather information to confirm your application information and get a more detailed health picture. This may include data like:⁵

Your health history
Height
Weight
Blood pressure
Taking bloodwork
Electrocardiogram depending on your age

The examiner may also take blood and urine samples to test for various substances and other health markers.

How to increase your chances of qualifying for life insurance after a heart attack

A heart attack doesn't always lead to life insurance denial or higher premiums. Here are some tactics to help maximize your approval chances and find better rates:

Live a healthy lifestyle: Exercise regularly and adopt a balanced diet to help improve your health and reduce the chance of future health conditions arising.

Visit your medical provider regularly: Your medical provider can help make sure you’re in good health and catch issues early when treatment is easier and more affordable. Going to the doctor regularly also helps you keep updated medical records to demonstrate health improvements to the life insurer.

Follow medical advice and medication regimens: Follow your medical provider’s instructions and adhere to medication instructions. This helps you manage your condition and shows the insurer you’re making an effort to do so.

Lose excess weight: Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce your risk category and lower your chance of future health conditions. This could help you qualify for more favorable rates.

Manage stress: Chronic stress can raise your blood pressure and harm heart health.⁶ Consider incorporating stress management techniques into your daily routine, like meditation and deep breathing exercises. Regular exercise, hobbies, and a good social life can help manage stress as well.

Quit smoking: Quitting smoking can significantly improve your health and reduce your potential life insurance premiums.

Get a quote for Aflac life insurance

Experiencing a heart attack does not stop you from qualifying for life insurance. Your premiums may be higher, but living a healthy lifestyle can help offset the extra perceived risk and help you find better rates.

Now that you know how a heart attack can impact your life insurance options, Aflac is here to help. We offer policies that can allow people with a variety of health backgrounds get reasonable rates on the coverage they need to protect their loved ones. Speak with an agent to learn more.

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