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 6pm PT. Health questions are asked on the call, never on this form.
A decline somewhere else is not the answer.
We quote the carriers that say yes.