Can I Get Life Insurance After a Heart Attack?

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. You can eventually withdraw from your cash value or borrow against it with no credit check at low interest rates. 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. Luckily, they can get a no-exam life insurance policy, which may reduce the impact of your health history on your approval and rates. Plus, skipping the medical exam shortens the underwriting process dramatically.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, with cost-effective premiums, a small death benefit, and lifelong coverage. 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?
• What heart condition diagnoses do you have?
• What is your most recent blood pressure reading?
• What are your most recent cholesterol and lipid test results?
• 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
• A description of the medications you take
• Height
• Weight
• Blood pressure
• Electrocardiogram if you’re over 50

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

Heart attacks don’t have to lead to life insurance denials or high premiums. Here are some tactics to help maximize your approval chances and finding 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 save you substantially on premiums.


• 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.