Your ability to obtain a great life insurance policy, at a competitive rate, is dependent upon many things, including your cholesterol levels! Besides your age, your weight and your overall level of health, there are many things that can’t be seen that impact your ability to obtain life insurance as much as the obvious.
Because high cholesterol levels are linked to coronary heart disease, and coronary heart disease is the number-one killer of both men and women in the United States, it only makes senses that life insurance companies are more than interested in the health of their applicants; in particular, their cholesterol levels.
High Cholesterol Equals Deadly Consequences
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that one in five Americans has high cholesterol. It is because of this fact, and the fact that many people with high cholesterol suffer a stroke or heart attack, that life insurance companies have given this health topic great attention. In fact, if you have high cholesterol, you can be sure that you will end up paying higher premiums than those individuals with low blood cholesterol levels.
Testing for High Cholesterol Levels
During the physical exam for life insurance, you will likely be given a physical, which includes blood work. Among other things, your blood will be tested for cholesterol levels. It is important to realize, however, that individuals who previously had high blood cholesterol levels, but are now successfully controlling them, will likely not be penalized.
Although each insurer’s definition of high cholesterol is different, you can generally expect to be penalized for your cholesterol if your bad cholesterol, or your LDL cholesterol, is above 100, or if your overall cholesterol levels are above 200. You can check with your insurer regarding their requirements for blood cholesterol levels.
What to do Before Applying for Life Insurance
The best thing you can do before applying for a life insurance policy is to get a full physical exam from your doctor, including blood work. If your doctor finds that you have high blood cholesterol levels then you can start being treated, therefore remedying the situation before you apply for life insurance.
