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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.

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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 like graded or final expense coverage. In certain stable cases, even term coverage is 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.

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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 traditional carriers 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.

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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.

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✅ 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.

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✅ 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.

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✅ 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Why Work With Maple Valley Insurance Group

• Licensed, real agents, 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 coverage 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.

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Step-By-Step Process to Apply

1. Gather your medical history – diagnosis dates, EF%, arrhythmia details, surgeries, hospitalizations.
2. Compile your medications – doses, start dates, and purpose.
3. Answer health questions honestly – underwriters cross-reference prescriptions and medical history.
4. Discuss your profile with an independent broker – they match you with the right carrier.
5. Choose a policy type – term, graded whole life, guaranteed issue, or final expense.

Following this process maximizes approval chances while minimizing premium costs.

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Take-Home Messages

• Guaranteed issue policies are available without health questions but often come with higher premiums and limited benefits.
• Answering health history questions may qualify you for better policies at lower costs.
• Time matters: younger applicants get lower lifetime rates.
• Working with an independent broker is essential for navigating high-risk cases.

Protecting your loved ones starts now — securing life insurance today ensures coverage when it’s needed most.

FAQ For Those With Heart Related Issues

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Next Steps

Use the mobile Get an Instant Quote at the bottom of this post, or call us at 269-244-3420 for a free consultation.

You’ll speak with a high-risk life insurance expert who understands CHF, cardiomyopathy, and other complex heart conditions — no pressure, no gimmicks.