Pravastatin Is a Statin (Cholesterol Medication)

Pravastatin is one of a class of medications called statins. Statins work by reducing cholesterol production in your body and lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol while potentially increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Pravastatin is one of several statins available; other common statins include atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin.

Doctors prescribe pravastatin for two main reasons: (1) to lower elevated cholesterol when diet and lifestyle changes aren’t sufficient, and (2) to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with existing heart disease or significant risk factors. It’s one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States.

The Medication Is Secondary—The Cholesterol Levels Matter

When you disclose that you take pravastatin, underwriters don’t care about the medication itself. What they care about is: “Why are you taking it?” and “Is it working?” In other words, they evaluate your cholesterol levels and whether they’re controlled.

Key Questions Underwriters Ask:

• When were you diagnosed with high cholesterol? (Long-term management is good)
• What is your current cholesterol level? (Is it controlled below the recommended ranges?)
• How long have you been on pravastatin? (Longer-term use shows stability)
• Are there any other reasons you’re taking it? (For prevention, or for treatment after an event?)
• Do you have other health conditions? (Is high cholesterol your only health issue?)

What Complicates Your Case:

• Recent diagnosis (less than 6 months on medication suggests a new health concern.
• Uncontrolled cholesterol (recent tests show levels still elevated despite medication)
• Prescribed after a cardiovascular event (heart attack, stroke, etc.)
• Multiple health conditions alongside high cholesterol
• Smoking status

Very High Approval Likelihood

If you take pravastatin for controlled high cholesterol with no other significant health issues, approval odds are very high—typically 90%+ depending on other factors. This is one of the most straightforward medication situations for life insurance underwriting.

Bottom line: Approval is very likely. Focus on demonstrating that your cholesterol is controlled through recent test results and consistent medication use.

Rate Impact Is Minimal

Taking pravastatin for controlled high cholesterol typically results in little to no rate increase compared to standard rates. This is one of the most favorable medication scenarios for cost.

Factors That Might Increase Your Rate

If any of these apply, your rate increase might be toward the higher end of the ranges:

• Recently diagnosed (less than 1 year)
• Cholesterol is still somewhat elevated despite medication
• Prescribed as part of cardiovascular disease treatment
• Other health conditions present

Reality: Most people taking pravastatin for controlled high cholesterol see little to no rate increase, making this one of the most cost-friendly medication situations.

Provide Evidence of Control

The key to getting approved at the best rates is demonstrating that your cholesterol is controlled. Documentation that proves this strengthens your application significantly.

How to Present Your Information

When completing your insurance application, provide cholesterol numbers if you know them. If your doctor said “your cholesterol is well-controlled” or “excellent cholesterol levels,” that matters. Being thorough shows you’re organized and confident in your health status.

1. Be Straightforward About Pravastatin

Disclose that you take pravastatin on your application. Don’t try to hide it or downplay it. Insurers will discover all medications through medical records anyway. Full disclosure shows transparency.

2. Provide Cholesterol Numbers If You Know Them

If your recent tests show good cholesterol control, mention this. Numbers are powerful. “Total cholesterol 185, LDL 105” is concrete evidence that medication is working.

3. Emphasize How Long You’ve Been on It

If you’ve been on pravastatin for 3+ years, that’s a strong indicator of stability. Mention it: “On pravastatin for 4 years with excellent cholesterol control.” This reassures underwriters.

4. Note Any Recent Normal Test Results

If your recent doctor visit included an EKG or other cardiac testing that was normal, mention it. “EKG normal, no cardiovascular symptoms” strengthens your application.

5. Get Recent Cholesterol Labs Before Applying

Schedule a visit with your doctor and get recent cholesterol labs done if your last test was 1+ year ago. Having current numbers showing control is more powerful than old numbers. This takes 1-2 weeks and significantly improves your application.

6. Don’t Exaggerate or Minimize Your Condition

Be accurate. You have high cholesterol managed with pravastatin—that’s a normal, manageable situation. Don’t make it sound worse or better than it is. Honesty is your best strategy.

Scenario 1: Been on Pravastatin 3+ Years, Cholesterol Controlled, No Other Health Issues

Expected Outcome: Approved at standard or near-standard rates

You’re in the best-case scenario. Long-term stability with controlled cholesterol and no other health conditions means approval at a minimal rate increase (0-10%). Most applications like this get approved at standard rates.

Scenario 2: Recently Diagnosed (Less Than 1 Year), Cholesterol Now Controlled

Expected Outcome: Approved with minimal rate increase

A recent diagnosis is less ideal than long-term management, but if your cholesterol is now controlled with recent tests showing good levels, approval is still very likely. The rate increase would be 5-15%.

Scenario 3: High Cholesterol + Another Condition (Hypertension, Diabetes, etc.)

Expected Outcome: Approved with moderate rate increase (10-25%)

Multiple health conditions complicate underwriting, but approval is still likely if both are well-controlled. Rate increases reflect management of the additional condition more than the pravastatin itself.

Scenario 4: Pravastatin Prescribed After Heart Attack or Cardiac Event

Expected Outcome: Approved if sufficient time has passed, with a higher rate increase

If your pravastatin was started after a cardiac event, the event itself—not the medication—drives underwriting. See our cardiovascular disease article for expectations. Approval depends on event severity and time since the event.

Scenario 5: Cholesterol Still Somewhat Elevated Despite Pravastatin

Expected Outcome: Approved, possible rate increase, or request for additional information

If recent tests show cholesterol still above recommended levels, underwriters may increase your rate or ask about medication adherence or potential need for dose adjustment. Approval is still likely, but rates reflect the ongoing management challenge.

Will taking pravastatin automatically disqualify me from life insurance?

Direct answer: No. Taking pravastatin does not disqualify you. Approval is very likely if your cholesterol is controlled.

Pravastatin is one of the easiest medication situations for insurers to evaluate. High cholesterol is common, manageable, and not a major risk factor when controlled.

Do I need a medical exam if I take pravastatin?

Direct answer: Probably not, depending on coverage amount. Many applicants taking pravastatin are approved without medical exams.

Coverage amounts under $300,000-$500,000 typically don’t require medical exams. Larger amounts may. For pravastatin alone with controlled cholesterol, many companies use streamlined underwriting.

What if my cholesterol levels are still slightly high despite pravastatin?

Direct answer: You’ll still likely be approved, but your rate may be slightly higher or underwriters may request more information.

Some people’s cholesterol doesn’t drop as much as hoped. If yours is still slightly elevated, underwriters will ask about medication adherence and whether dose adjustment is being considered. This doesn’t prevent approval.

How much more will I pay if I take pravastatin?

Direct answer: Usually 0-10% more than standard rates, sometimes nothing at all.

This is one of the cheapest medication scenarios from a life insurance perspective. Your rate increase is likely minimal to none if your cholesterol is well-controlled.

Should I mention the pravastatin on my application or just not talk about it?

Direct answer: Absolutely disclose it. Omitting medications is insurance fraud.

Insurers will discover all your medications through medical records anyway. Full disclosure now prevents any problems later. Being upfront about pravastatin actually strengthens your case because it shows health awareness.

If I switch from pravastatin to a different statin, does that affect my application?

Direct answer: Not significantly. Different statins are similar from an underwriting perspective.

Whether you take pravastatin, atorvastatin, or another statin, underwriters evaluate the same thing: Is your cholesterol controlled? The specific statin matters much less than the cholesterol result.

I’ve been on pravastatin for many years. Does that help or hurt my application?

Direct answer: It helps. Long-term use shows stability and successful management.

Five, ten, or fifteen years on the same pravastatin dose at consistent cholesterol levels is actually excellent underwriting. It demonstrates proven, sustained cholesterol control. This improves your approval odds and may reduce your rate.

I take pravastatin but have no symptoms. Does that matter?

Direct answer: Not negatively. Asymptomatic high cholesterol on medication is actually very favorable.

Many people with controlled high cholesterol have no symptoms at all—that’s normal. The fact that you have no chest pain, shortness of breath, or cardiac symptoms is actually a positive sign for underwriting.