Can you buy life insurance if you have heart issues?
Yes, you can buy life insurance even if you have a heart condition. Your rates and policy options will depend on several factors, including your diagnosis and treatments, family health history, and current overall health, in addition to your age and gender.
Life insurance terms you should know
Beneficiaries: The people you name on your life insurance policy to receive the lump sum of money — also known as the death benefit — when you die.
Cash value: The portion of a permanent life insurance policy’s monetary value that grows tax-deferred over the life of the policy.
Death benefit: The amount of money the life insurance company will pay your beneficiaries when you die.
Face amount: The dollar amount, or death benefit, your beneficiaries receive if you die while your life insurance policy is active.
Insured: The person who is covered by the insurance policy.
Policy: The legal document that includes the terms and conditions of your life insurance contract.
Policyholder: The person who owns an insurance policy. Usually, this is the same person as the insured.
Permanent life insurance: A type of life insurance that lasts for the rest of your life and usually includes a cash value account.
Premium: The amount you pay your insurance company to keep your coverage active. Premiums are typically paid monthly or annually.
Riders: Add-ons to a life insurance policy that provide more robust coverage, sometimes for an extra cost.
Term life insurance: A life insurance policy that lasts for a set number of years before it expires. If you die before the term is up, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit.
Underwriting: The process where an insurance company evaluates the risk of insuring you and determines your final rate.
How does having a heart condition determine your life insurance options?
The specific details of your condition and your treatment will determine your options. Here’s how common heart issues may play a part in your life insurance journey.
Heart attack
It’s possible to get life insurance after a heart attack, but most insurance companies will want you to be at least six months out from the event before they’ll look at your application. Many will also decline your application if you had a heart attack before age 40, since they’ll consider you a higher insurance risk.
If you’re approved for life insurance coverage after having a heart attack, expect to pay higher-than-average rates.
Heart disease
There are many types of heart disease, but the most common type in the U.S. is coronary artery disease (CAD). [1] CAD is a condition that affects blood flow in the heart — when the blood flow decreases, it can cause a heart attack. [2]
If you have CAD, insurers will be looking at both existing and treating blockages, clotting history, and any related diagnoses, like high blood pressure or diabetes. You may be approved for life insurance if you have CAD, but you’ll likely have to pay average or higher-than-average rates, depending on your condition and overall health.
Heart bypass
If you’ve had a heart bypass — also called coronary bypass surgery, a treatment used to treat blocked arteries from CAD — [3] you may be able to get life insurance. Many insurers will consider applicants who have had heart bypass surgery, though they’ll likely want you to be at least three months (and often as long as six or 12 months) post-surgery before you apply.
Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heart — it may beat too slow, too fast, or in an irregular rhythm. [4] The most common type of heart arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib. [5]
If you have heart arrhythmia, your life insurance options will depend on several factors, including whether you’ve also been diagnosed with heart disease.
If you have bradycardia (slow heart rate), you may qualify for better rates than people with tachycardia (fast heart rate).
If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), you may qualify for average or lower-than-average rates, depending on your overall health profile.
If you have AFib and a pacemaker, you can expect to pay higher-than-average rates.
Congenital heart defects
Some people with congenital heart defects can get life insurance depending on their diagnosis and condition. For example, people with a bicuspid aortic valve birth defect — a type of abnormality in the aortic valve in the heart — [6] may be able to qualify for average or higher-than-average rates as long as they don’t have other related conditions.
Other heart conditions
People with other heart issues or who have had a heart transplant may not be eligible for traditional life insurance, or may have to pay higher-than-average rates.
These may include:
Congestive heart failure, a long-term condition that prevents your heart from pumping blood well enough to meet your body’s needs. [7]
Aortic stenosis, a type of valve disease that reduces blood flow from the heart to the aorta and the rest of the body. [8]
Mitral stenosis, a narrowing of the valve between the two left heart chambers that reduces blood flow into the heart’s main pumping chamber. [9]
Pericarditis, a swelling and irritation of the saclike tissue surrounding the heart that causes sharp chest pain. [10]
If you have a heart condition and are not sure about your life insurance options, don’t fret. A Policygenius agent will be able to talk through your health history and help you choose the best company for your profile and needs.
What information about your heart condition will you have to share on your life insurance application?
When you apply for life insurance, the insurance company will look at your health history and family health history. If you have a heart condition, there are some specific questions you’ll need to answer about your heart health.
What was the date of your first diagnosis or onset of symptoms?
Have you had any surgeries or procedures, including bypass, stents, or angioplasty?
How many surgeries or procedures have you had in total?
What treatments have you had?
What medications are you on?
Do you need to have a medical exam to get life insurance with a heart condition?
If you have a heart condition, you’ll most likely have to take a medical exam in order to get life insurance. The medical exam is very similar to an annual physical. It takes around 30 minutes, is conducted by an examiner at your own office or home, and is covered by the insurance company.
The insurer will probably also request an attending physician statement (APS) from your doctor or doctors to learn more about your diagnoses and health.
Should you disclose your heart medical history when applying for life insurance?
Yes, you must share your complete medical history at the time of your application. Lying or omitting information on your life insurance application can be considered fraud, which could put your loved ones at risk of losing the financial protection you wanted to provide for them in the first place.
If the insurance company finds out you misrepresented yourself during or after the underwriting process:
Your application could be declined.
If your policy was approved, it could be canceled later on.
Your beneficiaries could be denied your policy’s payout upon your death.
Because the life insurance underwriting process is so thorough, your full medical history is likely to come to light during the application process anyway. Not only being forthright upfront can help ensure you won’t be penalized for lying, but it also increases your chances of getting the best coverage for you at the lowest price for your specific health history.
Best types of life insurance if you have a heart condition
The best type of life insurance coverage for you will be the one that offers you the most coverage for the lowest rates. Here are your options.
Term life insurance is the most popular and most affordable life insurance type. Term provides coverage for a set term — usually between 10 and 30 years — and then expires, so you’re only paying for coverage when you need it most. This is usually your highest-earning years, during the time your income is needed to pay down a mortgage or raise your children. Many people with heart conditions will qualify for term life coverage, though some with more serious conditions, or who were diagnosed before age 40, may not qualify.
Permanent life insurance policies last your entire life, which means they don’t expire, and usually come with a cash value component that grows over time and you can borrow from while you’re alive. These policies, which include whole life and guaranteed universal life insurance, cost significantly more than term life and are generally best for people who need lifelong coverage or have higher net worths. Because many heart problems can make your insurance premiums much more expensive, permanent policies can be cost-prohibitive for those with a history of heart issues.
Simplified issue life insurance is a type of final expense insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam and instead relies on a medical questionnaire. With lower coverage amounts and higher premiums, it’s designed to cover people who don’t qualify for traditional life insurance policies, though not everyone is eligible. People with congestive heart failure, new diagnoses of heart disease, or who have had heart surgery or heart transplant will likely not qualify.
Guaranteed issue life insurance is aimed at covering end-of-life costs such as medical bills or a funeral and can be a coverage option for people over 45 who don’t qualify for simplified issue life insurance. While guaranteed issue policies come with small coverage amounts — usually up to $25,000 — and costly premiums, they don’t have any medical requirements, so approval is near-certain regardless of your health profile.
Life insurance riders are add-ons to your life insurance policy that expand your coverage and may make some benefits available to you while you’re still alive. For example, living-benefit riders allow you to access part of the death benefit if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying terminal illness or, in some cases, if you become disabled. The most common type is an accelerated death benefit rider, which is included with most term life policies free of charge.
Group life insurance is another option for people who can’t qualify for traditional life coverage due to heart conditions, or are too young or priced out of guaranteed issue policies. Group policies are usually offered through employers for free or at a subsidized rate, and rarely have medical requirements. Group life policies come with low coverage amounts — usually capped at one to two times your salary — and you lose coverage if you leave your job. However, group life insurance can be a good option for people who don’t qualify for or can’t afford a personal policy.
Best life insurance companies for people with a heart condition
Since each person’s health history is different, the best life insurance company for you may not be the same for someone else with the same heart condition. Our top picks can help you find the right coverage for you at the lowest price.
We used industry data, pricing from Policygenius carrier partners, and ratings from third parties like AM Best and J.D. Power to pick the best life insurance companies on the market. Our independent recommendations will help you get life insurance coverage with confidence.
Methodology
Why you can trust our picks
Our recommendations are based on internal and external expert analysis, as well as our Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. When reviewing a life insurance company, our editorial team uses a proprietary scoring rubric with five factors — price, policy details, financial strength, transparency, and customer experience — to assign an unbiased rating between one and five stars. These ratings are also taken into consideration as part of our company recommendations. We don’t get paid for our reviews.
Our reviews and recommendations can help you find a reliable insurer for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you depends on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can support you during the application process to ensure you get the right coverage for your circumstances at the most competitive price.
Best overall life insurance for people with heart conditions: Corebridge Financial
2024 Policygenius award winner
Corebridge Financial
4.6
30+ year terms
All 50 states
Why we chose it
With competitive pricing and a range of flexible term periods for its Select-a-Term product, Corebridge is a solid option for many life insurance shoppers. Note: We are currently using AIG’s financial strength ratings until Corebridge has its own rating.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive pricing for all ages
Favorable underwriting for people with heart conditions and diabetes
Good for current and recently pregnant people, including people with gestational diabetes
Cons
Not the best for people with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression
No no-medical-exam term option
Our analysis found that Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life & Retirement) is the best life insurance option for people with a heart condition. The company offers traditional coverage more often and at a lower rate to people with various heart issues than its competitors..
Cheapest for people with heart conditions: Corebridge Financial
In addition to being the best overall insurer for people with heart conditions, Corebridge is also the most affordable. When shopping the market with Policygenius, people with a history of heart issues find the best rates most frequently through Corebridge.
Best life insurance for people with complex heart disease: Corebridge Financial
There are many types of heart disease, and your life insurance prospects will depend on what type and severity of heart disease you have. For people with pericarditis, aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, or other similar types of heart disease, Corebridge will be able to offer the best rates.
Best life insurance after a heart bypass: Corebridge Financial
If you’ve had heart bypass surgery, Corebridge Financial will likely be able to offer you coverage once you’re several months out from your procedure. You’ll need to share why you had your surgery, whether you had any complications, and what medications you’re taking.
Best life insurance after a heart attack: Lincoln Financial
2024 Policygenius award winner
Lincoln Financial
4.8
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Lincoln Financial offers a diverse array of life insurance policies, including competitive no-med and high-net-worth options.
Pros and cons
Pros
Affordable rates
Good for many existing health conditions, including depression, stroke, and heart conditions
Good for marijuana users, including daily users
Cons
Term life not available in New York
According to our analysis, Lincoln Financial is a good option for people who have had a heart attack because it will consider your application within three months of the event — while most other insurers won’t allow you to apply until six months or even a year has passed. Lincoln Financial is also a solid choice because it offers affordable rates for people with pre-existing conditions, including heart conditions.
Best life insurance after a heart attack for young people: Prudential
2024 Policygenius award winner
Prudential
4.1
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
With nearly four million policyholders and 150 years to its name, Prudential offers competitive coverage options for seniors, as well as people with some of the most common medical conditions, including asthma, depression, and fibromyalgia.
Pros and cons
Pros
Good for people over 60
More flexible income requirements than some other insurers
Considers applicants with a variety of immigration statuses (visas and green cards)
Cons
Younger applicants will likely find better prices elsewhere
If you have a heart attack before age 40, many life insurance companies won’t consider your application. Prudential will, as long as your event was between the ages of 35 and 39.
Best life insurance for people with arrhythmia: Protective
Protective
4.8
30+ year terms
Why we chose it
Protective has some of the most affordable and comprehensive life insurance options available.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for all ages and health classifications
Good for people with mental health conditions, kidney conditions, and some cancers, including prostate cancer
Term lengths up to 40 years
Cons
Not available in New York
Not great for people who have had bankruptcy, marijuana users, or visa holders
No no-medical-exam policy options
Protective is a solid choice for people with arrhythmia. Many people with irregular heartbeats who have no evidence of heart disease can qualify for lower-than-average rates with Protective. People with bradycardia with no pacemaker can qualify for average rates, while people with tachycardia will generally qualify for higher-than-average rates. People with AFib may qualify for lower-than-average rates with Protective if they’ve experienced a single episode, and higher-than-average rates if they have a pacemaker.
Comparing the best life insurance companies for people with a heart condition of 2024
Insurer | Policygenius rating | Best for | AM Best rating | |
4.8/5 ★ | Heart attack | A | ||
4.8/5 ★ | Arrhythmia | A+ | ||
4.6/5 ★ | Overall, affordability, bypass, complex heart diseases | A | ||
4.1/5 ★ | Young people with heart attack | A+ |
Learn more about the best life insurance companies of 2024
How much does life insurance cost if you have a heart condition?
If you have a heart condition, your life insurance premium costs will depend on your age, diagnosis, treatment, and overall health. The best way to get an accurate quote for your specific situation is to connect with a Policygenius agent. At Policygenius, our experts are licensed in all 50 states and can walk you through the entire life insurance buying process while offering transparent, unbiased advice.
How to buy life insurance if you have a heart condition
Comparing life insurance quotes is essential when buying life insurance, and that’s especially true for people with heart conditions or other serious health conditions. One company may offer you affordable rates, while another may not offer you a policy at all. At Policygenius, we work with top insurers to help people find the lowest rates for their specific situation.
Other health concerns that can affect your life insurance
Certain pre-existing conditions and other health-related concerns can affect your life insurance options or costs. A Policygenius expert can help you find the right policy for your needs.
Mental health issues such as depression or anxiety
Frequently asked questions
Can you get life insurance if you have a heart condition?
Yes, depending on your diagnosis and age, you may qualify for traditional life insurance. People with more serious conditions may qualify for policies that don’t have medical requirements for approval, like final expense insurance.
Does life insurance cover people with heart failure?
A person with heart failure won’t be able to purchase a traditional life insurance policy, though they’ll be able to buy a final expense life insurance policy called guaranteed issue life insurance. This type of policy offers small coverage amounts — usually up to $25,000 — to cover end-of-life expenses like a funeral or medical bills, and offers near-certain approval.
Which insurance is best for heart patients?
Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life & Retirement) is the best life insurance company for most people with a heart condition. It offers affordable rates to people with a variety of heart issues, plus a solid guaranteed issue option for people who don’t qualify for traditional life insurance.
What is considered heart disease for insurance?
Heart disease is a broad term that encompasses many diseases of the heart. The most common is coronary artery disease (CAD), while other conditions include irregular heartbeat and congenital heart defects.
Can you get life insurance after heart surgery?
Yes, it’s possible to get life insurance after heart surgery. However, you’ll need to be recovered for several months before you can apply.
Can you get life insurance with a heart murmur?
Yes, it’s possible to get life insurance with a heart murmur. In fact, if you have no symptoms and have not required treatment, it may be possible to get the best rates.
