High blood pressure and life insurance explained

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around a third of UK adults have high blood pressure, and nearly a third of them are unaware of it because they haven’t been diagnosed by a doctor¹. And diagnosis can be a shock for many people as high blood pressure doesn't usually cause any symptoms.

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure can be a serious condition. It can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney disease and vascular dementia. So, does high blood pressure affect your ability to get cover for life insurance?

The good news is that millions of people successfully apply for life insurance, even if they have high blood pressure. So don’t let the worry of having hypertension put you off getting cover. In this guide we look at high blood pressure and life insurance options, so you and your family are protected for the future.

Key takeaways

• It’s still possible to get life insurance when you have high blood pressure.
• 120/80 is typically considered to be a normal or healthy blood pressure reading. Any reading over 140/90 is considered to be high.
• If you have high blood pressure it can put you at increased risk of a range of serious illnesses, including heart attack and stroke.
• When it comes to high blood pressure, insurers need to be reassured that your condition is controlled over several months.
• The key factor for deciding whether you can get life insurance with high blood pressure is the blood pressure reading itself. If this is normal, you may be accepted for cover, even if you’re on medication.

What is considered high blood pressure?

Blood pressure measures the force your heart uses to pump blood around your body.

When the heart beats it contracts and relaxes. As the heart contracts it forces blood out into the arteries. At this point the blood pressure in the arteries will be at its highest. Following a contraction, the heart relaxes and refills with blood. At this point your blood pressure will be at its lowest.

A blood pressure check measures your blood pressure as it contracts and when it relaxes. So, you get two readings. The highest pressure, at contraction, is known as the systolic pressure. The lowest, at relaxation, is called the diastolic.

When a blood pressure reading is taken you’ll see the systolic reading listed before the diastolic. So, if the systolic reading is 120, and the diastolic is 80, it will be written as 120/80 and expressed as ‘120 over 80’.

Blood pressure readings consistently over 160/100 are considered high and require treatment, as per NICE guidelines. Readings between 140/90 and 160/100 are also considered concerning and should be monitored by a GP. Treatment decision in these cases depends on age and other health conditions. Therefore, someone may be classified as having high blood pressure even if they are not currently receiving treatment².

Blood pressure is affected by the elasticity of the arteries. And as we age, the elasticity of the arterial system reduces. So, age is one factor that can raise your blood pressure.

Others include²:

• being overweight
• smoking
• drinking too much alcohol
• stress
• an unhealthy diet that’s high in salt

Having close relatives with high blood pressure can also increase your chances of having the condition³.

The trouble is, it’s difficult to know whether you have hypertension. It doesn’t usually cause any symptoms, so many people won’t even realise they have it. In some cases, you may experience headaches or dizziness, but the only way to find out is to have a blood pressure check.

The NHS recommend that anyone over 40, or who is concerned about their blood pressure should get it checked. You can often do this at a local pharmacy.

Can you get life insurance with high blood pressure?

Yes, you absolutely can get life insurance with high blood pressure. Insurance companies understand that high blood pressure is a common condition affecting around 30% of adults in the UK⁴, and they have extensive experience assessing applications from people with this condition. The key factor isn't whether you have high blood pressure, but how well it's managed and controlled.

The outcome of your application will largely depend on your overall health profile and how effectively your blood pressure is being managed. If your hypertension is well-controlled through medication, lifestyle changes, or both, and your recent readings are within acceptable ranges, you may even qualify for life insurance on standard terms with no additional premium.

Even if your blood pressure requires closer monitoring or isn't perfectly controlled, most insurers will still offer cover - though you might pay slightly higher premiums to reflect the additional risk.

How does high blood pressure affect life insurance applications?

Applying for life insurance involves answering questions that build up a picture of your life and the likelihood of you making a claim. This includes a series of questions about your health. If you answer ‘yes’ to having high blood pressure in the past five years, you’ll need to provide more details.

Answer all questions honestly and provide as much detail as possible. The more the insurer understands your condition, the better decision they can make about your cover. The detail may even help to reduce the premium. It’s essential that all the information you provide is accurate and complete. And if things change before you’re accepted, let the insurer know straightaway.

What medical questions you'll need to answer on your application?

If high blood pressure is disclosed on the application form, insurer will want to know:

• the date you were first diagnosed with high blood pressure
• whether you’re awaiting any medical tests, test results, or referrals to a specialist or hospital related to your condition
• details about your medication and whether it’s been changed or increased to improve control in the last six months
• when you last had your blood pressure checked by a medical professional
• your most recent blood pressure reading (if known), or how your doctor described it (e.g. high, fluctuating, slightly higher than normal, normal)
• whether you’ve experienced any complications of raised blood pressure. Such as eye or kidney problems, or abnormal urine test results.

Depending on the information you provide, insurer may want to get medical reports directly from your GP and any specialists who've treated you. They need your permission to do this under the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988, and they will ask for your consent as part of the process.

You have the right to say no to medical reports being obtained. But be aware that the insurer can choose not to proceed with your application if you refuse. You also have the right to see any medical report before it gets sent to the insurance company, which can be helpful if you want to check it's accurate.

Find out how medical records are used in life insurance applications to understand exactly what information insurers access and how it affects your cover.

How insurers assess risk?

Insurers use a process called underwriting to assess risk. They ask a series of questions which helps them understand your health and lifestyle. The answers to those questions help them decide whether they can offer you cover. And if so, how much your premium will be.

Insurer will look at several factors when assessing risk.

• Your health - both your past and current health issues.
• Family health - whether there’s a history of ill health in your family.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) - high BMI levels are linked to an increased risk of serious diseases.
• Lifestyle - such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Occupation - we need to know if you have a risky or stressful occupation.
• Hobbies/hazardous pursuits - these could increase your risk of making a claim.
• Residency and travel - we usually only cover UK residents.

Insurers will add a loading to your premium if they think you pose an extra risk to them. A loading is an extra amount added to the cost of your cover that takes into account this risk. So, they may charge you more if you smoke or have high blood pressure for example.

Underwriting outcomes

Once you’ve provided all the information, the insurer will tell you what the outcome is. There are several possible outcomes, and it's worth knowing what each one means:

Standard terms

This is the best-case scenario where you get accepted at normal rates with no restrictions. It’s possible to get accepted on standard terms with high blood pressure. Especially if it’s well managed and stable.

Accepted on Special Terms

It’s quite common for insurers to offer cover on special terms. This may involve a higher premium or an exclusion for a specific condition. The exact terms — such as premium increases or exclusions — will depend on the nature and severity of your condition.

More information needed

Sometimes the insurer wants to dig a bit deeper before making their decision. They might ask for more information from your GP or arrange for a health screening. They may even ask you to have a full medical examination with a doctor.

Referred to an underwriter

If your case is particularly complex or involves multiple medical issues, it might be passed to a senior underwriter. This isn't necessarily bad news - it just means they want an expert to take a proper look.

Decision delayed

If you've recently been diagnosed or are waiting for test results, the insurer might put your application on hold. They will want to see that your condition is stable before making their decision.

Unable to offer cover

In some cases, if the risk is considered too high or unpredictable, the insurer might not offer cover at all. But remember that different insurers have different approaches to risk. So, a ‘no’ from one insurance company doesn't mean you can't get cover elsewhere.

How much does life insurance cost with high blood pressure?

Your high blood pressure is just one factor insurers use to calculate your premium. They also look at your age, job, lifestyle, how much cover you want, and your overall medical history.

The impact of your high blood pressure on the cost of your premium depends on the blood pressure reading itself. If this is normal, you may be accepted without any loading, even if you’re on medication.

When it comes to high blood pressure, insurers need to be reassured that your condition is controlled over several months.

This can be through taking medication or making changes to your lifestyle. If you have a history of normal blood pressure that’s well controlled, then you’re likely to be accepted for life insurance at standard rates.

If there’s an indication that your blood pressure is not controlled, then the insurer may ask for a report from your doctor or request screening with a nurse or doctor. The insurer will do this if you’ve had frequent visits to the doctor for assessment or you’re on a combination of medications. Depending on what it says on your report, the insurer may charge you more for cover or decide to not offer cover at all.

Blood pressure that’s unacceptably high, uncontrolled, or there are additional risk factors is more of a challenge. In this circumstance, Vitality would delay the decision for six months. This gives you time to gain and maintain control of your blood pressure.

Your blood pressure will be assessed together with other risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and smoking. These factors all add to the risk of you needing to make a claim on your insurance. So, if there are several risk factors acting together, you may not be offered cover.

Learn more about how life insurance premiums are calculated to understand all the factors that influence your costs.

What life insurance policies are available for someone with high blood pressure?

There’s a range of life insurance policies available to people with high blood pressure. Including level term insurance, decreasing term insurance and whole of life insurance.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance covers you for a chosen number of years, which is called the ‘term’ of the policy. If you die within your chosen term, say 25 years, then your beneficiaries will receive a cash lump sum.

Level term insurance

Level term insurance pays out a fixed amount for the duration of the policy. So, whether you die five or 20 years into a 25 year plan, your loved ones will receive the same amount. This type of insurance is useful for paying off an interest only mortgage. Or providing for your family during the years they’re financially dependent on you.

Decreasing term insurance

With decreasing term insurance, the amount of cover decreases as you go through the term of the policy. It’s often used to cover the cost of paying off a repayment mortgage.

The insurance payout reduces over time. So, if you die five years into a 25 year plan, your loved ones will receive a larger payout than if you die 20 years into a 25 year plan. But as your debt should have reduced over time as well, your family will have less to pay back.

Whole of life insurance

Whole of life insurance is a type of life insurance that’s guaranteed to pay out whenever you die, as long as you keep paying your premiums. So, it offers cover for the whole of your life. Unlike term insurance it doesn’t have an end date. So, once the plan is set up and your premiums are up to date, it will pay out to your beneficiaries when you die.

This type of insurance is often used to help pay an inheritance tax bill, so the cost doesn’t need to come out of your estate. Or some people use it to cover funeral costs or leave a legacy for their family.

With Vitality, you're not limited to just one type of protection. You can choose to combine life cover with serious illness cover or income protection insurance, creating a comprehensive safety net tailored to your needs.

Because high blood pressure can sometimes lead to additional health concerns, having this extra protection ensures you and your loved ones are truly protected.

Serious illness cover

Serious illness cover is an insurance policy that pays a lump sum to you if you become seriously ill and can’t work. You can use the money to cover any outgoings while you take the time to recover.

It covers illnesses such as heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.

Income protection insurance

Income protection insurance provides a regular monthly payment if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. The payout is tax-free and typically amounts to about 50% to 60% of your regular gross income.

These payments can help cover essential expenses, like your mortgage or bills.

Tips for getting affordable life insurance

• Use a broker who specialises in finding insurance for people with heart conditions
• Get several quotes to compare prices
• Wait until your condition is stable before applying for your life insurance
• Give up smoking
• Improve your diet and exercise
• Have all your medical records up to date and easily accessible.

Sources:
^{[1] ONS, Risk factors for undiagnosed high blood pressure in England, April 2023
[2] NHS 2024. High blood pressure
[3] CDC.GOV, Family History and High Blood Pressure, 2005
[4] British Heart Foundation, UK Factsheet, January 2025.}