If you've been diagnosed with heart disease or survived a cardiac event, you've probably heard that getting life insurance will be difficult—or even impossible. Here's the truth: it's more complicated than that. Yes, heart disease makes the approval process trickier. But millions of Americans with heart conditions have life insurance, and with the right approach, you can too.
Heart disease affects approximately 6.7 million Americans and is the leading cause of death in the United States. Because of this, insurance companies take cardiac conditions seriously when underwriting policies. But they're not looking to automatically deny you—they're looking for evidence that your condition is stable and well-managed. This guide will walk you through exactly how life insurance works when you have heart disease, what insurers look for, and how to get the best coverage for your situation.
Can You Get Life Insurance After a Heart Attack or Cardiac Event?
Yes, absolutely. But timing matters. Most insurance companies want to see that you're stable before they'll approve your application. Here's what that typically looks like:
After a heart attack, bypass surgery, or stent placement, most insurers require at least 6 months of documented recovery. Some prefer to see 12 to 24 months, especially if the event was severe or emergency surgery was required. During this waiting period, they want to see that you're following your treatment plan, your medications are working, and you're not experiencing complications.
If you apply too soon after a cardiac event, you'll likely face a decline or postponement. But wait the recommended period, show good test results, and demonstrate compliance with your doctor's recommendations? Your approval odds improve dramatically.
What Insurers Look at When You Have Heart Disease
Insurance underwriters don't just see "heart disease" and make a decision. They dig into the details. Here are the key factors they evaluate:
Your ejection fraction (EF) is heavily weighted. This measures how much blood your heart pumps with each beat. Normal EF is 55-70%. If your EF is in this range, you'll get much better rates. If it's below 40%, expect higher premiums or possible decline.
The type and severity of your condition matters too. A single bypass is viewed more favorably than a quadruple bypass. Stable angina that's well-controlled is easier to insure than recent congestive heart failure. An elective stent placement gets better rates than emergency surgery after a massive heart attack.
Other critical factors include: when you were diagnosed (younger diagnosis is riskier), whether you're compliant with medications, your lifestyle habits (smoking status, exercise, diet), other health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, and whether you've had multiple cardiac events or just one isolated incident.
Your Life Insurance Options with Heart Disease
Not all life insurance policies are created equal, and when you have heart disease, choosing the right type is crucial. Here are your main options:
Fully Underwritten Traditional Policies
These require a medical exam and full health review. If your heart condition is stable and you've had good test results recently, this route can actually get you the best rates. You'll typically receive a "table rating" (like Table 2 or Table 4), which means higher premiums than someone without heart disease—but potentially lower premiums than simplified or guaranteed issue alternatives.
Simplified Issue Policies
These ask health questions but don't require a medical exam. They're faster to get approved, but they may decline you based on your answers about cardiac history. They work well if your heart condition is minor or very stable, but less so for recent or severe events.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
This is your safety net. Guaranteed issue policies can't deny you based on health conditions—no medical exam, no health questions. If you've been declined elsewhere or your heart disease is severe, this may be your only option. The tradeoffs: higher premiums, lower coverage amounts (typically $5,000 to $25,000), and a waiting period (usually 2-3 years) where death from natural causes results in only a return of premiums paid rather than the full death benefit.
Group Life Insurance Through Your Employer
If your employer offers group life insurance, take advantage of it. These policies typically don't require medical underwriting for the base coverage amount, and you can often add supplemental coverage with minimal health questions. The catch is that coverage is usually limited and tied to your employment.
How Much Will Life Insurance Cost with Heart Disease?
There's no sugar-coating it: you'll pay more than someone without a cardiac history. But how much more varies wildly based on your specific situation.
Someone with excellent recovery 12+ months post-bypass, normal ejection fraction, and no complications might receive a Table 2 rating—roughly 50% higher premiums than standard rates. More typically, bypass patients receive Table 2 to Table 4 ratings, which can mean 50-100% higher premiums. Recent heart attacks, lower ejection fractions, or multiple cardiac events can push you to Table 6 or higher, potentially doubling or tripling standard rates.
Here's an example: a healthy 50-year-old male might pay $600 per year for a $250,000 20-year term policy. With a well-managed cardiac history, that same person might pay $900-$1,200 annually. With a more serious history, it could be $1,500-$2,000 or more.
How to Improve Your Approval Odds and Get Better Rates
You can't change your cardiac history, but you can control how you present it to insurers. Here's how to put your best foot forward:
Wait for stability. Don't rush your application. Give yourself at least 6-12 months post-event to show stable recovery and good test results. The longer you wait (assuming your health remains stable), the better your rates.
Get your medical records organized. Have copies of your cardiac catheterization report, echocardiogram results, stress test results, and discharge summaries. Underwriters love documentation that shows you're doing well.
Follow your treatment plan religiously. Take your medications as prescribed, attend all follow-up appointments, and make lifestyle changes your doctor recommends. Insurers can see prescription fill records and medical visit history.
Work with a specialized agent. Not all life insurance agents have experience with high-risk cases. Find an independent agent who specializes in impaired-risk underwriting. They know which companies are more lenient with cardiac conditions and can shop your case to multiple insurers without you having to apply multiple times.
Consider applying to multiple insurers. Different companies have different underwriting guidelines. One insurer might decline you while another offers reasonable rates. A good agent can help with this strategy.
Next Steps: Getting Started
If you have heart disease and need life insurance, don't let anxiety or past rejections stop you from applying. The insurance landscape has specialized options for cardiac patients, and the right coverage is out there—you just need to know where to look.
Start by assessing where you are in your recovery timeline. If you're less than 6 months out from a cardiac event, focus on your recovery and getting stable test results. If you're past that window and your condition is well-managed, it's time to start shopping. Connect with an independent agent who specializes in high-risk life insurance, gather your medical documentation, and be honest about your health history. With the right approach and the right insurer, you can get the protection your family needs.
