Everyone knows that insurance companies are just looking for reasons to raise our rates or drop us completely.
If you are unfortunate enough to have a genetic disorder, your ability to find a life insurance company that will sell you a policy will drop exponentially, or they will raise their rates accordingly. They want to get as much money out of us every month as they can.
If you are interested in buying a life insurance policy, it is crucial that you appear to be in the best health possible.
There are many factors that go into determining a life insurance rate.
One of them is blood pressure.
Blood pressure is a strong indicator of later disease onset.
The further your blood pressure is out of the normal range, the harder it will become for you to obtain a reasonable policy. If your blood pressure is too high, the company is going to be worried about your health.
If you have a life insurance exam coming up, there are some strategies you can use to keep your blood pressure as low as possible.
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First, Follow Directions
It is very important to follow all the directions that they give you before your testing day. One of these directions will be to fast for a predetermined period of time before your appointment.
It is crucial to follow this explicitly in order to achieve the best results. There are many different types of foods and beverages that we consume with chemicals that alter our blood pressure. Your doctor can give you a full list of foods to avoid that could raise your blood pressure.
Avoid the Rush
It is also important to abstain from various sources of caffeine and energy drinks before a life insurance exam because these can raise your blood pressure. It’s a good idea to try and avoid as much caffeine as possible on the day of your medical exam. Don’t worry; you can have as much coffee as you want afterward.
Do your best not to smoke right before your test, as this can temporarily spike your rating. Some studies even say that having a full bladder during your blood pressure test will skew the results, so make sure you go beforehand. Don’t hold it in.
The biggest obstacle to attaining your lower blood pressure life insurance test is that just being in a doctor’s office is enough of a stressor for most of us. There’s nothing more agitating and worrisome than spending time in a medical facility, especially if you know for sure that what happens there has the potential to affect your future health and cost you tons of money.
Stress has a huge impact on blood pressure, so it’s important to be as calm as possible and find ways to distract yourself from your true purpose. Simply moving around too much can also raise your blood pressure, so try to avoid nervous pacing!
One surefire way to relax yourself is through deep breathing exercises and meditation. If you can regulate your exhalations, you will also slow down your heart rate and, thus, your blood pressure rate.
There are studies that show that your blood pressure will be highest in the early afternoon, so if you can, schedule your appointment for the morning or late afternoon. It also helps to request that the doctor take two readings and average them instead of just one. The first reading is bound to be higher just from the stress involved, and then you relax a bit once your body remembers that blood pressure cuffs aren’t actually invasive!
If you don’t need life insurance right away, it could be beneficial to take the time to work on lowering your blood pressure and saving yourself money every month. Your doctor will thank you, and so will your bank account.
One of the best ways that you can lower your blood pressure for good is to lose weight. Carrying excess weight forces your heart to work harder to get the blood through your body. Simply losing 10 pounds could have a significant impact on your waistline and your heart.
We know that you have a gym membership that you never use, but it’s time to change that. Regular cardio exercises like walking, jogging, biking, swimming, etc., help your heart grow stronger, making it more efficient, which then lowers your blood pressure. When you’re hitting that treadmill and dreading your run, just think about all the money it could save you.
The other big factor in lowering your blood pressure is your diet. Before you skip reading this part, hear us out. The food that you’re putting in your body can make a huge difference in your blood pressure levels.
It’s time to cut back on the sodium levels. This is one of the easiest changes to make; just about everything you buy at the store has a low-sodium version.
Additionally, avoiding a lot of red meat can also help lower your blood pressure. Instead of the fatty steaks, go for meals with chicken or fish in them. The leaner meats are much better for your blood pressure and still delicious.
Blood Pressure and Life Insurance
Your blood pressure plays a huge role in how much you pay for your coverage. Ironically, the life insurance process could be stressful enough to raise your blood pressure. There is a lot you can do to lower your blood pressure, which can, in turn, save you money.
If you have high blood pressure, it’s important you find a company that understands your situation and will give you reasonable rates based on your situation.
The Bottom Line – How to Lower Your Blood Pressure for a Life Insurance Exam
Blood pressure significantly influences life insurance rates, reflecting its role as a predictor of potential health issues.
While the life insurance process can be inherently stress-inducing, there are actionable steps individuals can take to present their best health profile.
Adherence to pre-exam guidelines, mindfulness practices, and timely scheduling can help mitigate temporary spikes in readings. Long-term strategies like weight loss, regular exercise, and a diet low in sodium and red meat can have lasting benefits for both health and insurance rates.
Ultimately, the journey to lower blood pressure not only makes financial sense but also leads to a healthier and potentially longer life.
