Life Insurance After Heart Attack

man having an heart attackGetting life insurance after a heart attack can be difficult, but not impossible.

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Life insurance companies are well aware of this and charge higher rates for those who have had a heart attack.

In many cases, they will deny coverage to an heart attack patient because they know the risk of having a second heart attack is even higher. You'll have to speak to a life insurance specialist to explain your situation in detail.

Can I Get Life Insurance After a An Heart Attack?

Yes, you still can purchase life insurance after suffering a heart attack, however, you must be prepared to pay more.

One of the best ways to improve your chances of getting coverage is by following doctor's orders and having solid medical records to show to the life insurance company you are following orders. This can make a difference, though it really depends on the insurance company.

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When Is The Best Time To Apply For Coverage?

If you have had a heart attack - aka myocardial infarction, or have heart problems, you may want to rush right out and buy life insurance, but this is not always the smartest move. If time passes and you've been fine for a while, insurance companies are far more willing to approve your policy and offer lower rates.

Applying right after you leave the hospital will cause your rates to skyrocket. Insurance companies will tack on a heart disease surcharge that adds a flat rate to the already high insurance premium. They also may put in a rider stating that they will not pay if your death is caused by heart disease.

The longer you wait to get the insurance policy, the more opportunity you have to prove to the company that you've made incredible strides to improve your health.

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Other Health Issues

Having additional health issues, such as diabetes or other diseases, can make it more challenging to obtain life insurance and can increase the cost of coverage. In general, the fewer health issues you have, the better your chances of being approved for coverage.

Keep this in mind as you consider your options and try to get as healthy as possible before applying for life insurance.

For smokers, this can mean quitting cigarettes. Overweight and obese people can focus their attention on losing weight and getting into shape. For those with cholesterol problems, they can get their cholesterol levels lowered. All of these actions will help you get coverage and to lower your payments.

Get Your Own Life Insurance Rates!

Example Rates

Rates for a fifty-year-old male who has had past heart problems typically start at $250 a month for a $250,000 term life policy. Companies will base the final rate on your answers to the health history questions. Women face lower rates, though they are still going to be much higher than someone else would pay.

No matter how long ago the heart attack occurred, any life insurance will offer you their standard rate, meaning you receive no discounts for good health. It's a waste of time to even try to negotiate a better classification because you'll never get it.

Your Chances Of Getting a Heart Attack Increase With:

  • Age
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
  • Genetics
  • Stress

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Main Types of Heart Attack

  • ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
  • This is the most serious type of heart attack. It occurs when one of the heart's major arteries is blocked completely, stopping blood flow to a section of heart muscle.

  • Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)

  • This occurs when a major heart artery is partially blocked. Blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced but not completely cut off.

  • Silent myocardial infarction

  • Also called a "silent heart attack," this occurs when there is damage to heart muscle but without any chest pain or other symptoms. It's detected later through tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG).

  • Broken heart syndrome

  • Also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or stress cardiomyopathy. It's caused by a surge of stress hormones after a stressful emotional event like grief, anger or joy. The heart muscle becomes weakened and stretched out of shape for a period of time, mimicking the signs of a heart attack.

Get a life insurance quote if you had an heart attack!

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