Understanding Life Insurance
Life insurance with heart condition explained
Published: 15 September 2025
Reviewed by Dr Rishi Patel, MBChB MSc MFPH
If you have a heart condition, you might be wondering whether you can still get life insurance.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about getting life insurance with a heart condition - from understanding how insurers assess your application to finding the right provider and preparing for the underwriting process. With the right approach and information, you can find cover that gives you and your family the financial protection and peace of mind you're looking for.
Can you get life insurance with a heart condition?
Yes, you can get life insurance with a heart condition, though the application process will likely be more comprehensive and take longer than usual. The key is understanding how insurers view your specific situation and being prepared for the additional steps involved.
When you apply for life insurance, you’ll be asked a series of questions to assess your past and current health. This is known as medical underwriting. Life insurance companies do this so they can decide what cover they can offer you.
If you have a heart condition, the insurer will want to know how severe your condition is. They can then judge whether to offer you cover or not. If they offer you cover, you may need to pay more than someone without a heart condition. This is called premium loading. Insurers do this because you have a pre-existing condition that makes it more likely for you to make a claim.
Insurers look very carefully at whether they can offer you cover. They understand the importance of protecting your loved ones and want to support you. Over 7.6 million people are living with heart and circulatory disease in the UK.1 So, it’s essential that they’re given due consideration when looking for life insurance policy.
Types of heart conditions that affect life insurance
Heart disease includes a wide range of conditions that affect the heart. Such as heart failure and problems with the blood flow or the rhythm of the heart. And each of these conditions are assessed differently by insurers.
Let’s take a look at how some of these conditions affect your life insurance application.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
CHD occurs when the arteries in your heart become clogged with fatty deposits. The pain you feel is called angina. And a complete blockage can lead to a heart attack.
During underwriting, the insurer will need information about the severity of the condition. Such as how many coronary arteries were affected if you are having ongoing angina or chest pain. And whether there are other complications, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, or a high BMI.
It’s common for insurers to apply a waiting period before offering cover following a heart-related event or diagnosis. However, the length of this deferral can vary depending on the specific heart condition, the treatment received, and how well you've recovered. Also premiums may be higher due to the increased risk associated with coronary heart disease.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
A heart attack happens when the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked. The lack of blood can seriously damage the heart, and it can be fatal. However, seven in ten people survive a heart attack. So, there are around 1.4 million people alive today who have had a heart attack.1
The insurer will look at the severity of the heart attack, your recovery and ongoing cardiac rehabilitation. It’s possible to make a full recovery to normal activities. If you do, then you may be eligible for life insurance after heart a attack.
Heart Failure
With this condition, the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly. It’s usually caused by a number of problems affecting the heart at the same time. Such as CHD, high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms.
When you’re diagnosed with the condition, your doctor will be able to tell how severe it is. They use a classification system from 1 to 4. With 4 being the most severe. Insurers will use this information before deciding if they can offer you cover.
Arrhythmias and Irregular Heartbeat
This is when your heart beats too slowly, took quickly or irregularly. It usually happens when there’s a problem with the electrical system that makes your heart beat.
Insurers will consider how severe the condition is, your medical history and your lifestyle. Alcohol, smoking and caffeine can all contribute to an irregular heartbeat.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
When your blood pressure rises, you’re at greater risk of other conditions such as heart attack or stroke. That’s why insurers are keen to know whether your condition is under control with medication or lifestyle changes.
You’ll need to let the insurer know how often you get your blood pressure checked. And what the most recent reading is. If the reading is normal and your condition is under control, you’re likely to be accepted on standard terms. If it’s not under control, then the insurer may postpone cover until it’s controlled and maintained for six months.
Read more: Can you get life insurance with high blood pressure?
How do life insurers assess heart conditions?
Once you've submitted your application, insurers use specific criteria to assess your heart condition and determine what cover they can offer. This assessment may include requesting medical evidence, such as reports from your GP or specialist, to better understand the nature and severity of your condition. Understanding these assessment factors can help you prepare and set realistic expectations.
What personal factors affect your life insurance assessment?
Your heart condition is assessed alongside other risk factors that insurers consider for everyone.
These include:
- your age,
- overall health,
- medical history,
- occupation,
- any dangerous activities you participate in,
- and lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking.
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is also factored in, as being significantly overweight can increase premiums even if your heart condition is well-managed.
How insurers evaluate your specific heart condition?
When assessing your heart condition specifically, insurers focus on several key areas:
Type and severity of your condition - Health conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease are assessed based on how stable and well-managed they are. For example, someone recovering well from a heart attack may be viewed differently to someone with ongoing heart failure.
Time since diagnosis or treatment - Insurers often need to see that you've had time to recover and stabilise before offering cover. For example, after a heart attack, they may wait a few months to assess how well you're recovering. Similarly, high blood pressure usually needs to be well-controlled for a period before cover is considered.
Your current health status - Insurers want to know if your condition is stable, improving, or getting worse. They'll look at recent test results, whether your medication has changed recently, and how well you're managing your condition day-to-day.
Treatment and monitoring - The type of treatment you're receiving tells insurers a lot about your risk level. Someone taking a single blood pressure medication that's working well presents a different risk profile than someone who's had multiple medication changes or requires complex treatment.
What other health factors do insurers consider?
Heart conditions don't exist in isolation. Insurers will consider other health factors that might compound the risk, such as diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol. They'll also look at lifestyle factors like smoking, which can significantly impact your eligibility for cover.
If you're under the care of a cardiologist, insurers will want to see specialist reports and test results. This might include ECGs, echocardiograms, angiograms, or stress tests that show how well your heart is functioning.
The assessment process is designed to build a complete picture of your individual risk, which is why two people with the same heart condition might receive very different offers depending on these other factors.
What types of life insurance is available for people with heart problems in the UK?
There are several types of life insurance policies available. The three main types are term life insurance, whole of life, and over 50s life insurance. Here’s how they compare.
|
|
Term insurance |
Whole of life insurance |
Over 50s life insurance |
|
What it does |
Term life insurance pays a tax-free lump sum if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness while the plan is in place. |
Whole of life insurance pays a tax-free lump sum when you die. |
Over 50s life insurance pays a small sum of tax-free money when you die. This payout is generally lower than what you would receive from term or whole of life insurance policies. |
|
Length of plan |
Fixed term (e.g., 5–40 years), ending before a maximum age (usually 90 years). |
No fixed term – lasts for your entire life. |
No fixed term – lasts for life, as long as premiums are paid. |
|
Medical questions |
Yes – health and lifestyle questions are required. |
Yes – health and lifestyle questions are required. |
Often no medical questions – guaranteed acceptance for UK residents aged 50–80. |
|
Cost for people with heart conditions |
Premiums depend on the severity and stability of the condition. More severe cases mean higher premiums or possible exclusions. |
Premiums depend on the severity and stability of the condition. More severe cases mean higher premiums. |
As the payout is smaller, the premiums tend to be more affordable. But you may end up paying more into the plan than your family receive when you die. |
|
|
Applying for life insurance if you have a heart condition
When you apply, be prepared for a thorough process. Insurance companies need to understand your specific situation completely, so you'll be asked detailed questions about your medical history.
You have several options for where to apply for life insurance. You can go directly to an insurance company, use a comparison website, or work with financial adviser. If you're unsure about which type of cover suits your needs, it's worth speaking to a financial adviser first.
Here's a breakdown of the application process:
Completing the Application Form
When you're completing your application, the golden rule is simple: tell the truth. You'll need to share details about your health, family medical history, lifestyle, job, and any risky hobbies you might have. The forms will specifically ask about heart conditions, including chest pain, heart attacks, or heart valve problems.
If you tick "yes" to any heart-related questions, you'll need to fill out additional medical sections with full details. This might feel overwhelming but remember - being thorough now protects you later. If you leave out important information or aren't completely honest, it could mean your claim gets rejected down the line, or your application could be delayed or even cancelled.
If anything changes with your health, job, or lifestyle between submitting your application and getting accepted, you need to let the insurance provider know straight away.
Providing detailed medical information
For heart conditions, insurers want to build a complete picture of your situation. You'll typically need to provide:
- When your condition was first diagnosed
- What symptoms you experienced
- Whether you've had recurring episodes
- Your exact diagnosis
- Details of any specialists you've seen (like a cardiologist)
- Results from medical tests you've had - things like ECGs, angiograms, echocardiograms, X-rays, or CT scans. For heart attacks or heart muscle problems, they'll want specific details like cardiac enzyme results and ejection fraction measurements
- Information about any treatments or medications you're taking
- If relevant, details from your employer about your work duties and any sick leave you've taken
Giving consent to medical reports
The insurance company will likely 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'll ask for your consent as part of the process.
You do 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.
Read more: Why do life insurance companies request medical information?
The underwriting process
Once you've submitted your application, it goes through underwriting process. This is where the insurance company's experts assess the risk of insuring you based on your heart condition and other factors.
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. Yes, this can happen even with a heart condition, especially if it's well-managed or was a minor issue.
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 a report from your GP, request a focused report specifically about your heart condition, arrange for a nurse to visit you for a health screening, or 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 who specialises in trickier cases. 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 until they have a clearer picture of your health situation. They 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 be able to offer you cover at all. While this can be disappointing, 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 does a heart condition affect the cost of life insurance?
Your heart condition is just one factor when insurers calculate your premium. They also look at your age, job, lifestyle, how much cover you want, and your overall medical history.
The impact on your costs really depends on the specifics of your condition. A minor heart issue that was detected years ago and doesn't affect your daily life will have a very different impact than a recent heart attack. Insurers assess factors like how severe your condition is, how well it's controlled, when it was diagnosed, and whether you're following medical advice.
If you're seen as a higher risk than average, you'll typically face one of the outcomes we mentioned earlier - either higher premiums, exclusions for heart-related claims, or in rare cases, being unable to get cover. The key thing to remember is that many people with heart conditions do get affordable life insurance, especially when their condition is stable and well-managed.Vitality life insurance
Want to know more about life insurance or thinking about taking out a policy? Here are some of the benefits of taking out life insurance with Vitality:
- A brand you can trust - In 2024, we paid 98.9% of all Life Cover claims.*
- Get a lower monthly premium upfront when you add Optimiser to your plan. Keep your premiums low when you stay active.
- Access to Vitality partner discounts and rewards.
- Get free no-obligation advice. Our advisers offer expert advice to help you make the right decisions.
You're not alone in choosing Vitality. Over 2 million lives in the UK are now covered by our insurance, and we’re here to support you too.
Ready to take the next step? Getting a quote is simple and takes just a few minutes.
* VitalityLife Claims and Shared Value Report 2025
Sources:
1 British Heart Foundation (2025) UK Factsheet - January 2025Relevant guides and articles
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