Life insurance after a heart attack, stents, or bypass
Heart history is about time and stability. A cardiac event years ago with normal follow-ups reads very differently from one last spring. Congestive heart failure is its own category and is asked about separately.
What carriers ask
- The event: heart attack, stent, bypass, valve replacement, pacemaker, or defibrillator
- When it happened
- Whether you have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
- Current medications and any hospital stays since
- Whether surgery has been recommended and not yet done
What usually qualifies
Often a level plan
A heart attack, stent, or bypass more than two years ago, stable medications, no heart failure. Many carriers offer day-one coverage here.
Usually a graded plan
An event in the last one to two years, or a pacemaker placed recently. Partial benefit for two years, full after.
Guaranteed issue
Congestive heart failure, a defibrillator, a cardiac event within the last year, or surgery pending.
What helps your application
- 01
Know the date of the event. The two-year mark opens a lot of doors.
- 02
High blood pressure and high cholesterol on their own are not heart disease to an underwriter. They are usually accepted at level rates.
- 03
A pacemaker for a slow heart rate is treated more gently than a defibrillator. Say which one you have.
Heart disease questions
I have a stent from five years ago and feel fine. Level rates?
Very likely, with several carriers. Stable follow-ups and no heart failure diagnosis are the two things they look for.
Does a heart murmur count?
Usually not, unless it has led to a valve procedure or a heart failure diagnosis.
Get a life insurance quote
A licensed agent calls you back, Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm MT. Health questions are asked on the call, never on this form.
Declined before? Ask us before you give up.
Carriers rate the same condition differently. We quote the ones likely to approve you.