If you’ve been diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiomyopathy, or another serious heart condition, you may have already heard “no” from one or more insurance companies. It’s frustrating — especially when all you want is to make sure your family is protected.
Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: you can still qualify for life insurance with heart failure, but you have to apply to the right carriers and use the right strategy. That’s where an independent high-risk life insurance broker makes all the difference. Top independent agents know and have business relationships with the right insurance companies who may may be able to insure you.
At Maple Valley Insurance Group, we specialize in helping people who’ve been declined elsewhere — clients with CHF, dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and other complex heart conditions. Since 2001, we’ve worked with top-rated carriers across the country who actually understand these risks and still issue affordable coverage.
Understanding Congestive Heart Failure and High-Risk Heart Conditions
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) occurs when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid buildup and organ strain. There are two primary types:
- Systolic heart failure (reduced ejection fraction) – the heart muscle weakens and cannot contract effectively.
- Diastolic heart failure (preserved ejection fraction) – the heart muscle stiffens, preventing proper filling.
Other heart conditions that may complicate life insurance eligibility include:
- Dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and ischemic cardiomyopathies
- Arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, or other irregular heart rhythms)
- Heart valve diseases (stenosis or regurgitation)
- Coronary artery disease (including prior stents or bypass surgery)
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Congenital heart defects (corrected or stable)
- CHF with pacemaker or defibrillator
- History of heart attack or cardiac arrest
These conditions are considered high-risk by insurers because they increase the likelihood of premature mortality, which directly impacts underwriting and premiums.
How Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Can Lead to Congestive Heart Failure
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the more common cardiomyopathies connected to congestive heart failure, and it’s a condition search engines strongly associate with CHF. HCM happens when the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick—usually the left ventricle. That thickening makes it harder for the heart to relax and fill properly, which increases strain and can eventually lead to symptoms that resemble or progress into heart failure.
People with HCM may experience:
- Diastolic heart failure (preserved EF) due to stiffened ventricles
- Obstructed blood flow (HOCM) leaving the heart
- Arrhythmias such as AFib or ventricular arrhythmias
- Long-term progression toward CHF if the heart can’t keep up with demand
Not everyone with HCM develops CHF, but the risk is elevated, and insurers absolutely factor that in. Even when the condition is considered “stable,” underwriters treat it similarly to other cardiomyopathies because of its long-term risk profile.
Insurers typically look at:
- Whether there have been fainting or near-fainting episodes
- Any arrhythmias or ICD placement
- Family history of sudden cardiac death
- Degree of obstruction
- Echocardiogram findings, EF%, and symptom stability
- Medication compliance and follow-up history
Here’s the part most agents gloss over: each form of cardiomyopathy—hypertrophic, dilated, restrictive, or ischemic—carries different underwriting rules, but all have the potential to progress into CHF. HCM isn’t an automatic decline, but it requires applying to the right insurers who understand the nuances and still actively underwrite these cases.
The good news? Many people with well-controlled HCM still qualify for permanent life insurance or final expense coverage. In certain very stable cases, even term coverage may be possible if you apply to the right high-risk carrier.
Maple Valley Insurance Group works directly with those carriers, helping clients with HCM and cardiomyopathy-related CHF secure life insurance even after prior declines.
Can You Get Life Insurance With CHF or Heart Conditions?
Yes — but it is rarely straightforward.
Approval and rates depend on factors like:
- The type and severity of the heart condition
- How long ago the condition was diagnosed
- Current stability and treatment adherence
- Medications and other health issues
Many life insurance companies will automatically decline CHF applications, but specialized carriers and underwriting strategies can make coverage possible. This is why working with an experienced independent broker is crucial — they know which carriers will consider high-risk cases and how to present your profile to maximize approval chances.
Life Insurance Options for CHF and Related Heart Conditions
✅ Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
For those with severe, recent, or terminal heart conditions, guaranteed issue life insurance is often the only available option.
Pros:
- No health questions or medical exams
- Builds cash value
- Lifetime premiums and fixed benefits
Cons:
- 2-year graded period before full death benefits
- Higher lifetime premiums than underwritten policies
We help clients avoid overpriced options from carriers like Colonial Penn or Globe Life, instead finding more affordable guaranteed acceptance plans with real value.
✅ Final Expense Life Insurance
Final expense (or burial) insurance is ideal for clients over 50 with stable heart conditions.
Benefits:
- Coverage up to $40,000
- Available even if you take Lasix, ACE inhibitors, or insulin, or have a history of stents, bypass surgery, or pacemakers
- Lower premiums than guaranteed issue policies and often better long-term value
This option ensures your loved ones aren’t burdened with funeral expenses, while still providing some flexibility for high-risk applicants.
✅ Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance is the most difficult to qualify for with complex heart conditions, but it is not impossible. CHF is commonly declined by 99+% of carriers offering term insurance.
- Requires full underwriting, including medical exams in many cases
- Rates depend on ejection fraction (EF%), age, stability, and other health factors
- Some carriers specialize in high-risk heart cases
Even conditions like arrhythmias, valve disease, or prior heart attacks do not automatically disqualify you — the key is current stability, treatment adherence, and medical history.
✅ Other Specialized Policies
Some carriers offer:
- Graded whole life – partial benefits during the first 1–2 years if the condition is recent or severe
- 1st-day whole life – full benefits immediately for select high-risk applicants
Your eligibility depends on the specific carrier and your overall health profile, which underscores why an independent broker is necessary.
💡 Curious How Heart Problems Affect Life Insurance?
Whether you are exploring your options or trying to understand what you may qualify for, submit your info to get a personalized comparison from an independent advisor. See what’s possible even with heart failure — no pressure, just clarity.
Independent. Unbiased. Helping seniors nationwide since 2001.
How Underwriters Evaluate CHF and Related Conditions
Insurance companies want to understand risk factors thoroughly. Key areas include:
- Diagnosis date and type of heart condition
- Ejection fraction (EF%) for CHF or cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmia type and control
- Treatment plan: medications, pacemaker, ICD, surgeries
- Hospitalizations or ER visits
- Smoking history
- Other comorbidities: diabetes, COPD, kidney disease, obesity
Preparing this information in advance helps your broker match you with carriers most likely to approve your application at favorable rates.
Medications and Lifestyle Impact Approval
Underwriters closely review prescriptions, including:
- Diuretics (Lasix, Bumex)
- ACE inhibitors / ARBs (Lisinopril, Losartan)
- Beta-blockers (Metoprolol, Carvedilol)
- Antiarrhythmics (Amiodarone, Sotalol)
- Blood thinners (Warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto)
Lifestyle factors — such as adherence to your treatment plan, diet, and exercise — can positively affect rates and approval chances. Noncompliance or uncontrolled conditions typically result in higher premiums or declined applications.
Overcoming Prior Declines
Being declined by one company doesn’t mean all insurers will say no.
Many clients previously declined for CHF, cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmias later qualify at lower cost when guided to the right high-risk niche carriers. Independent brokers know which companies:
- Evaluate heart conditions more favorably
- Consider stability, compliance, and medication history
- Can issue coverage with graded or full benefits
Without an expert, applicants often apply to the wrong insurer first, increasing the chance of being declined and delaying coverage.
What Are The Companies That Accept People With Heart Condiitions?
It would be a pretty simple to answer question, except it depends on a number of factors, not just having a “heart condition.” Lots of different heart conditions often combined with other health issues such as diabetes or coronary artery disease. Some are really serious conditions while others, not quite so much. Further, it really depends on what type of life insurance you are seeking, your age and overall risk profile, not just having a heart condition. Someone who is a heart failure patient is quite a bit different than someone who had a heart attack 3-5 years ago and had minimal vessel damage lost some weight and swims laps at the pool 3 days a week and walks the other days. The key point to understand: Different insurers view your total personal history differently.
The hardest type of life insurance to qualify for with a heart condition is term life insurance, hands down. If you have CHF for example, you will most likely not be able to obtain term life insurance. Life insurance companies consider this to be very high risk and will “table rate” to the maximum or decline. We have been able to often obtain whole life insurance with first day full coverage though with those same applicants. Again, case by case basis when you have any serious medical conditions. We would not be able to suggest any company from basic information. There is a high percentage chance of a decline in doing that.
With that said, we can discuss this all in a private consultation and give you your best options. The consultation is free and helps us direct you to the right carrier. Why do this? You want to avoid declines. What is the problem with a decline? Not only is it frustrating but it will post in the MIB (Medical Information Bureau). This will only complicate acquiring affordable life insurance coverage for you going forward. Any nsurer will be electronically checking that unless your agent puts you in a limited, guaranteed issue whole life policy. Ir hA no exam nor health questions. This should only be the last line of defense.
Why Work With Maple Valley Insurance Group
- Licensed, real independent life insurance brokers, not a call center
- Experts in high-risk cases since 2001
- Free consultations with no sales gimmicks
- Access to top-rated carriers who understand CHF, cardiomyopathy, and complex heart conditions
- Guidance on obtaining the best policy at the most affordable premiums
High-risk life insurance requires strategic planning and expert knowledge — working with Maple Valley Insurance Group increases your chances of approval and better benefits.
Step-By-Step Process to Apply
- Gather your medical history – diagnosis dates, EF%, arrhythmia details, surgeries, hospitalizations.
- Complet a list of your medications – doses, start dates, and purpose.
- Answer health questions honestly – underwriters cross-reference prescriptions and medical history.
- Discuss your profile with an independent broker – they match you with the right carrier.
- Choose a policy type – term, graded whole life, guaranteed issue, or final expense.
Following this process maximizes approval chances while minimizing premium costs.
Don’t Want to Talk to an Agent? You Still Have Options
We understand — some people want life insurance but aren’t comfortable sharing health or financial information for personal reasons. We realize there are also visitors here who just want the name of a good insurance company to buy the best policy for their heart condition. Life insurance companies just refer you back to one of their sales agents to have the same conversation you could have with our office or sell you an expensive guaranteed acceptance policy like Colonial Penn offers. Complicated cases require skilled field underwriting and extensive experience. The vast majority of reputable life insurance companies rely on their seasoned agents and brokers to support the underwriting department (the decision makers) in advising and “marketing” the right policy based on your overal risk profile, needs and goals.
With that said, if you prefer still prefer a self-guided approach and guaranteed coverage outcome, Ethos Life Insurance offers a 100% online only experience.
With their online automated life insurance platform you can:
- Compare term and permanent whole life coverage options. Guaranteed issue life insurance is even available from Tru Stage if their system finds no better alternative
- Get approved without speaking to an agent. Aceept the policy if your are satified
- Start protecting your family quickly and securely
Your choice…you can explore Ethos, or continue working with an expert at our office (recommened) to find the best offer on the market to take care of your loved ones. Just keep in mind, while Ethos is a fast and easy automated platform that works with several insurance companies, the algorithm/system does not have access to the specific policies and carriers we do at Maple Valley Insurance Group.
Take-Home Messages
- Guaranteed issue policies are available without health questions but come with higher premiums and limited benefits for first couple years.
- Answering health history questions will qualify you for better policies at lower costs.
- Time matters: younger applicants get lower lifetime rates.
- Working with an independent broker is arguably essential for navigating high-risk cases.
Protecting your loved ones starts now — securing life insurance today ensures coverage when it’s needed most.
Obtaining a good policy with a complex heart condition is not easy. Finding affordable coverage that meets the mark is a bit limited. Your independent advisor will sort this out for you. Yes, most of the companies you are most familiar with will likely decline you unless they offer a guaranteed issue whole life/ (GI) policy. Rarely is GI, the best solution. Considerably more expensive and limited benefits the first 2 years. This is something we recommend only as “Plan B” so to speak. It leaves a lot of risk for your loved ones and can be prohibitively expensive for some owners.
FAQ For Those With Heart Related Issues
Next Steps
Request help from an advisor at the bottom of this post, or call us at 269-244-3420 for a free consultation with our office.
Either way, you’ll speak with a high-risk life insurance expert who understands CHF, cardiomyopathy, and other complex heart conditions — no pressure, no gimmicks.
Whether you have coverage or are just researching, we can help you compare plans and explore your options.
