One of the most common reasons why Americans do not have a life insurance policy is that they believe that they will not qualify. Many, if not all, insurance providers look at your medical history before granting you a policy, but what exactly are they looking at?

Before disregarding life insurance, take a look at the 4 most common medical conditions that actually affect your application process.

1. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is very present in the American culture. High blood pressure, or hyperextension, makes your heart work harder to pump blood throughout your body. Because it is working so hard, you are more prone to life threatening risks, including stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.

Your body typically increases its blood pressure due to the following:

• Age
• Stress
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Salty diet, and more

Your insurance provider will check your medical records to determine if you have or are at risk of high blood pressure. They typically look for numbers that are less than 140 over 90. If your blood pressure reads higher, your application can be at risk.

2. Obesity

One in every three adults in the US is obese. Obesity is an epidemic that affects millions of Americans. Obesity is judged by your body mass index, commonly referred to as BMI. This is calculated in many different ways.

There are many machines that can test your body to determine your BMI, or there is the traditional method of taking your weight in kilograms and dividing it by your height in centimeters, squared. If your number ranges from 35-38 or higher, you may not be able to qualify.

Qualifying BMI numbers range anywhere from 26-33, depending on your age, and other medical factors. To get your BMI number in that range, daily exercise and a 1400 calorie diet will help you lose weight and build muscle, brining your BMI down.

3. Heightened Cholesterol

High amounts of cholesterol in your body will start to build up in your arteries. Your arteries are the vessels that carry blood away from the heart. When there is a build up inside, it can cause heart attacks and strokes.  

If your body has cholesterol levels of 300 to 350 mg/dl, you should have no problems qualifying for a life insurance policy. If you have a number higher than 350, you may have a difficult time, depending on your exact number. The higher the number, the lower your chances are of qualifying.

4. Anxiety

High anxiety is becoming more common than ever before. With high levels of stress in school, work, and in social situations, more and more people suffer from anxiety.

If you are currently on anxiety medication, your insurance provider may not qualify you. They see anxiety as a high-risk symptom that can lead to any of the above medical conditions.

Depending on your exact condition, you may still be able to qualify for this policy.

5. Smoking/History of Nicotine Product Usage

Another major component of your medical history underwriters and agents will look at is your history of smoking and or nicotine product usage.

Your average smoker is going to pay anywhere between 100-150% more for their life insurance versus a non-smoker. Some of the risks of being a smoker such as heart disease, hypertension, emphysema, and cancer can all drive up the cost of your life insurance.

Using other nicotine products like patches and chewing tobacco can also affect your rate. In most cases, you will need to contribute a blood and urine sample as part of the medical underwriting process. Even if you haven’t smoked or used nicotine products recently, the nicotine can still remain in your bloodstream up to four weeks after your last usage. If your blood and urine analysis shows presence of nicotine, your life insurance company could rate you as if you are a smoker.

Don’t let the fear of higher prices due to medical conditions keep you from getting life insurance. There are millions of people in America that suffer from these conditions that are still qualified. The only way to know if you will be qualified, even with a medical condition, is to talk to an insurance provider. Don’t wait another day to get the coverage you need for a better life.

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