Cardiovascular Disease Encompasses Many Conditions

“Cardiovascular disease” is an umbrella term. A person with stable, controlled high blood pressure faces entirely different underwriting than a person 6 months post-heart attack. Understanding your specific diagnosis is essential because insurers evaluate each condition distinctly.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Approval Likelihood: High (85-95%)

If your blood pressure is well-controlled on medication, insurers view this as manageable. You’ll likely qualify for standard or preferred rates if other health factors are good. Uncontrolled hypertension (readings consistently above 160/100) is more concerning and may result in a decline or a decline until controlled.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) / Stable Angina

Approval Likelihood: Moderate to High (60-80%)

If you’ve had a stent or bypass surgery but are now stable (typically 2+ years post-procedure), approval is likely with significant rate increases. The key is demonstrating stability through cardiac testing and symptom control. Recent CAD (within 1-2 years of diagnosis/procedure) is more challenging but often still approvable.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

Approval Likelihood: Moderate (40-70%)

Recent heart attacks (within 6-12 months) are serious underwriting issues. Older heart attacks (2+ years) with good recovery are more approvable. The difference between a minor, uncomplicated MI and a severe MI affecting heart function is substantial. Modern treatment protocols have improved long-term outcomes for MI survivors.

Heart Failure / Reduced Ejection Fraction

Approval Likelihood: Low to Moderate (20-50%)

Heart failure with a significantly reduced ejection fraction (below 35-40%) presents a serious underwriting risk. Mild to moderate reductions (40-50%) may be approvable. Advanced medications have improved life expectancy for heart failure patients, but underwriters remain cautious. Coverage amounts, if approved, are typically limited.

Arrhythmia (Including Atrial Fibrillation)

Approval Likelihood: High to Moderate (70-85%)

Atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias are often manageable with medication or procedures. If you’re on appropriate treatment and the arrhythmia is controlled, approval is likely. Severe, uncontrolled arrhythmias are more concerning. The presence of additional heart disease (low ejection fraction, for example) complicates underwriting.

Stroke / TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)

Approval Likelihood: Moderate (50-75%)

Recovery and prevention are key factors. If you’ve fully recovered with a good prognosis and are on preventive treatment, approval is reasonable. Recent strokes (within 1-2 years) are more challenging. TIAs (mini-strokes with full recovery) are generally viewed as less severe than full strokes.

High Cholesterol

Approval Likelihood: Very High (90%+)

Controlled high cholesterol on medication typically results in standard or near-standard rates. This is one of the most easily managed CV risk factors from an underwriting perspective.

An Honest Framework

These are realistic approval odds from our experience with underwriting. They’re not guarantees—individual cases vary—but they give you a practical sense of what to expect.

Reality check: Even in the “very challenging” category, approval is not impossible. Different companies have different underwriting philosophies. Some specialize in impaired risk. Shopping multiple insurers is essential.

1. Time Since Diagnosis or Event

The more time that has passed since your CV event (heart attack, stroke, etc.) or diagnosis, the better. Two years post-heart attack is significantly better underwriting than six months post-heart attack. This is why timing matters—waiting a year or two can substantially improve your approval odds and reduce rate increases.

2. Stability and Control

If your condition is stable on current medications with no recent hospitalizations, emergency room visits, or medication changes, you’re in a better position than someone with ongoing instability. Insurers want to see evidence that your condition is under control.

3. Medication Compliance and Adherence

Consistency with medications is critical. If your medical records show regular medication refills, consistent dosing, and adherence to treatment plans, this strengthens your application. Gaps in medication or evidence of non-compliance are red flags.

4. Cardiac Function (If Applicable)

For conditions affecting heart function, ejection fraction measurements are important. Better ejection fractions indicate better cardiac function and improve approval odds. EKG, echo, or stress test results demonstrating normal or near-normal function help your case.

5. Other Health Factors

If you have additional health conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, etc.), approval becomes more challenging. Conversely, if your CV disease exists in isolation with otherwise good health, approval is easier. Smoking status is particularly important—smokers with CV disease face much higher rates or possible decline.

6. Age and Gender

Younger applicants with CV disease sometimes face different underwriting than older applicants. A 45-year-old with a history of heart attacks is viewed differently from a 75-year-old with the same history. Gender affects baseline risk, though both men and women are at risk of CV disease.

7. Documentation Quality

Complete, organized medical records strengthen your application. Vague or incomplete medical histories create underwriting uncertainty, which insurers resolve in their favor (meaning worse ratings or decline). Having your full cardiac workup documented is essential.

Get Organized Before Applying

Providing complete documentation upfront speeds underwriting and improves your odds. Insurers will request these records anyway, so having them ready demonstrates organization and transparency.

How to Obtain Records

Contact your cardiologist’s office and primary care office. Request copies of all cardiac-related records. Most offices can provide these within 5-10 business days. Expect to pay a small copying fee ($10-50). Having organized records ready before applying demonstrates you’re serious and cooperative with underwriting.

Preparing Your Medical Summary

Consider writing a brief summary of your CV history: when diagnosed, what happened, what procedures you’ve had, what medications you’re on, and your current status. This helps insurers understand your timeline and current situation clearly.

Rate Increases Are Significant

CV disease almost always results in rate increases compared to standard rates. The question is how much. These are illustrative ranges based on typical underwriting:

Important: These are ranges. Different companies rating the same condition produce different results. Shopping multiple insurers can save you 20-40% compared to taking the first offer.

1. Get Your Condition Under Control First

If your CV condition is unstable or has recently changed, wait 2-3 months for stabilization before applying. Recent medication changes, hospitalizations, or new procedures look concerning. Stability improves your odds significantly.

2. Gather Complete Medical Records

Get organized medical documentation before applying. Having records ready accelerates underwriting and demonstrates transparency. Incomplete records lead to delays and worse underwriting assumptions.

3. Be Fully Transparent on the Application

Disclose all CV history completely and accurately. Underwriters will discover omissions through medical records, and omissions discovered later can result in policy rescission (cancellation). Full disclosure is your protection.

4. Apply to Multiple Companies Simultaneously

Different insurers evaluate CV disease differently. Apply to 3-4 companies in the same timeframe. This increases your approval odds and allows you to compare offers. Multiple applications within 30 days typically count as one inquiry for credit purposes.

5. Work with an Agent Experienced in Impaired Risk

Some agencies and agents specialize in CV disease and other health conditions. They know which companies are most favorable for specific diagnoses and can present your case effectively. This significantly improves your approval odds and ratings.

6. Request an Attending Physician Statement (APS) Proactively

Rather than waiting for underwriters to request an APS, consider having your cardiologist complete one proactively. A detailed statement from your doctor explaining your condition, stability, and prognosis can significantly improve underwriting. Provide this with your application.

7. Don’t Exaggerate Health or Downplay CV History

Honesty is your best strategy. Insurers can verify everything. Exaggerations or omissions discovered later create serious problems. Be accurate and thorough.

Don’t Assume You’ll Get Your Requested Amount

With CV disease, insurers sometimes limit coverage amounts below what you request. This is not unusual and doesn’t mean decline—it means approval with a cap.

Strategy: Start with What You Need

Don’t apply for $1,000,000 if you only need $300,000. Apply for what you actually need. If approved for less, you can reapply or add additional coverage if your health improves.

Will a heart attack automatically disqualify me?

Direct answer: No. A heart attack does not automatically result in decline.

The timing and recovery are key. A recent heart attack (within 6 months) is challenging but not necessarily a decline. Heart attack 2+ years ago with good recovery is often approvable. Shop multiple companies if declined by one.

How long after a heart attack should I wait to apply?

Direct answer: Ideally, 6-12 months post-event with good recovery documented.

You can apply sooner if medically stable, but approval is easier with more time. Two years post-event significantly improves your odds and rates. If you have strong medical documentation showing good recovery, you may apply sooner.

Does taking multiple medications make approval harder?

Direct answer: Multiple medications suggest more complex CV disease, which can make approval challenging, but it’s not an automatic disqualification.

What matters is whether medications are working and your condition is stable. Taking 4 medications with excellent control is better underwriting than taking 1 medication with poor control.

If I’m declined by one company, can I apply elsewhere?

Direct answer: Absolutely. Different companies have different underwriting. Decline from one is not decline from all.

In fact, applying to multiple companies within a 30-day period is encouraged. You’ll get different offers. Choose the best combination of rate and coverage. One company’s decline is another company’s standard or rated approval.

Should I disclose my CV disease if asked about life insurance?

Direct answer: Yes, absolutely. Omitting CV disease from your application is fraud and results in policy rescission.

Full disclosure is your protection. Being upfront means approval (or decline) is based on accurate information. Omission discovered later means your policy can be cancelled, and beneficiaries may not receive benefits.

If I’m approved but have a health incident later, is my policy cancelled?

Direct answer: No. Once your policy is issued and the incontestable period passes (typically 2 years), the insurance company cannot cancel it based on health changes.

Health deterioration after issuance doesn’t affect your coverage. This is why getting approved now, while you can, is important. Future health problems won’t result in loss of coverage.

Is term or whole life better with CV disease?

Direct answer: Term is usually better because it’s more affordable. Whole life costs 5-10x more.

For most people with CV disease, a 15-20 year term makes sense. It’s affordable and covers the years you’re most likely to need it. Whole life can be appropriate if you want permanent coverage, but the cost difference is substantial.