Life Insurance · UK Guide 2026

Life insurance with a heart condition

A plain-English guide for people with a heart condition who want life insurance in the UK in 2026: whether you can get cover, how underwriting works, what your diagnosis, treatment and recovery mean for your premium, and why honest disclosure matters.

Get a free quote Life insurance hub

Quick answer

Can you get life insurance with a heart condition?

Often, yes: many people with a heart condition can get life insurance, though the terms depend heavily on the type of condition, how long ago it was diagnosed and how well it is now controlled.
It is individually underwritten: insurers assess the specific diagnosis, your treatment, your heart function and any ongoing symptoms rather than applying a blanket rule.
Premiums are often loaded: a heart condition commonly attracts a loading (a percentage added to the standard premium); a recent event may be postponed for a period, and severe or unstable conditions may be declined by some insurers.
Comparing insurers matters most: attitudes to heart conditions vary widely, so two people with a similar history can be quoted very differently.

Underwriting factors

How a heart condition affects life insurance underwriting

Factor	What insurers consider	Likely effect on terms
Type of condition	Whether it is angina, a previous heart attack, an arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation, heart valve disease, heart failure or a congenital condition	Stable, well-managed conditions tend toward standard or modestly loaded terms; conditions affecting heart function weigh more heavily
Time since diagnosis or event	How long ago you were diagnosed or had a cardiac event such as a heart attack, stent, bypass or ablation	A recent event may be postponed for a few months; terms usually improve as time passes with a stable recovery
Treatment and control	Your medication, any procedures (stents, bypass, pacemaker or defibrillator) and how well symptoms are controlled day to day	Good, stable control with no recent symptoms points toward better terms; ongoing or worsening symptoms increase loadings
Heart function and complications	Test results such as your heart’s pumping strength, and any related damage or further cardiac events	Preserved heart function supports the best available terms; reduced function or complications can raise premiums or lead to a decline
Other risk factors	Smoking, weight, cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and family history alongside the heart condition	Combined risk factors weigh more heavily than the heart condition alone and can increase the loading
Disclosure	Full, accurate answers about your diagnosis, treatment and health	Honest disclosure keeps cover valid; non-disclosure can mean a claim is reduced or refused

Indicative only — how a heart condition is assessed varies between insurers and depends on your individual medical history. Not a quote.

How it works

Diagnosis, treatment and recovery

When you apply, an insurer will ask about your heart condition in detail: the exact diagnosis, when it was made, what treatment you have had, your current medication and whether you still have symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness. They will usually want to understand your heart function and may request a GP report or the results of tests you have already had. A period of stable, symptom-free recovery is viewed far more favourably than a very recent event, which is why some insurers postpone a decision for a few months after a heart attack or heart surgery before offering terms.

Two applicants with a heart condition can be offered very different terms, which is why comparing insurers matters. Heart conditions also commonly appear alongside other health factors, so it is worth reading our guides to life insurance with high blood pressure and life insurance for diabetics, as well as our general guide to life insurance with pre-existing conditions. For how time off work due to ill health is handled separately, see income protection, and browse the full life insurance hub for related guides.

Cost

What cover costs with a heart condition in general terms

There is no single price. As with any life insurance, your premium is built from your age, the cover amount, the term and your health. For a heart condition, the key drivers are the type of condition, how long ago it was diagnosed and how stable it is now: a well-controlled condition with good heart function and no recent events keeps premiums closest to standard rates, while recent events, reduced heart function or several combined risk factors add a loading — an increase expressed as a percentage of the standard premium. Term cover is generally far cheaper than whole-of-life. Because outcomes vary so much between insurers, getting more than one quote is especially worthwhile if you have a heart condition.

Get a free quote

Disclosure

Why honest disclosure matters

It is essential to answer every health question fully and accurately. If you leave out or understate your heart condition, your treatment or any complications, the insurer may reduce or refuse a claim later, which defeats the purpose of having cover. Disclosing a heart condition does not usually mean you cannot get insured — in most cases it simply lets the insurer offer terms that genuinely hold up at claim time. If your health makes standard cover difficult, a guaranteed-acceptance over-50s plan (which asks no medical questions) is one fallback, though it works differently from standard term cover. A specialist broker can help you apply to the most suitable insurer. Explore the life insurance hub for guides by age, health and cover type.

Common questions

Life insurance with a heart condition: FAQs

Can I get life insurance if I have a heart condition?

In many cases, yes. A great deal depends on the type of heart condition, how long ago it was diagnosed and how well it is controlled now. Stable, well-managed conditions can often be covered, sometimes with a loading on the premium, while severe or very recent conditions may be postponed or declined by some insurers. Because attitudes vary widely, comparing quotes is especially worthwhile.

Can I get life insurance after a heart attack?

Often, yes, though some insurers postpone a decision for a period after a heart attack while your recovery settles. Once you have a stable, symptom-free period behind you and good heart function, terms usually improve. The cover amount, your age and any other risk factors all feed into the final premium, so it is worth comparing more than one insurer.

Is life insurance more expensive with a heart condition?

Frequently, yes. A heart condition commonly attracts a loading — a percentage added to the standard premium — to reflect the added risk. The size of any loading depends on the type of condition, how long ago it was diagnosed, your heart function and any other risk factors. Mild, long-stable conditions may attract only a small increase, while more serious ones cost more or may be harder to place.

Will I need a medical exam or GP report?

Sometimes. Many applications are assessed from the health questions and a GP report, and for a heart condition an insurer will often want to understand your diagnosis, treatment and heart function. They may use test results you already have or, for larger sums, ask for a medical. Having your dates and details to hand makes the process smoother.

What does it mean if my application is postponed?

Postponement means an insurer is not ready to offer terms yet, usually because a cardiac event, procedure or change in treatment is very recent. It is not the same as a decline. After a stable period, you can apply again, and terms are often available once your recovery is established. A broker can advise on timing and on which insurers to approach.

Do I have to tell the insurer about my heart condition?

Yes. You must disclose your heart condition, treatment and any complications fully and accurately. Non-disclosure can lead to a claim being reduced or refused. Honest disclosure lets the insurer offer terms that will actually pay out when needed, which is the whole point of having cover.

What if I have been declined for life insurance?

A decline by one insurer does not mean every insurer will say no, because attitudes to heart conditions differ. A specialist broker may be able to place cover, or better terms, elsewhere. If standard cover is not available, a guaranteed-acceptance over-50s plan asks no medical questions, though it works differently and is not right for everyone. Comparing routes is the practical way forward.

Information only — not medical or financial advice. My Insurance Expert is not an FCA-authorised intermediary and does not arrange or sell policies. Specialist insurers and brokers cater for people with heart conditions. Last updated: 2026-08-24

Explore more

More Life Insurance pages

← Back to Life insurance