Pass Your Life Insurance Physical With Flying Colors

Life insurance medical exams are a simple physical exam that helps the insurance company determine its risk in insuring you. While there may not be much you can do about chronic medical conditions, there are strategies to improve the chances of your application being accepted and keeping your premium rates affordable. Leading a reasonably healthy lifestyle is the easiest way to pass a life insurance medical exam. This includes eating healthily, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing water intake, avoiding drug use, and getting a good night's sleep. It is also recommended to avoid caffeine, exercise, and stressful situations 24 hours before the exam.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs

To beat a life insurance physical, it is important to avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. These substances can negatively impact your test results and lead to higher insurance premiums. Here are some detailed tips to help you avoid them:

Caffeine

Avoid consuming any caffeine, including coffee, tea, or energy drinks, for at least an hour before your exam. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, leading to less favorable results. If you are a regular caffeine consumer, consider scheduling your exam for early in the morning to avoid caffeine withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol

Refrain from drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before your exam. Alcohol can dehydrate you, making it harder to draw blood during the exam. It can also affect your liver enzyme levels, which show up on blood tests. Additionally, alcohol can increase your blood pressure and negatively impact your health metrics.

Tobacco

Avoid using tobacco products, including cigarettes, for at least 24 hours before your exam. Nicotine is a stimulant that raises your blood pressure and heart rate, which can impact your test results. If you are a regular smoker, try to abstain for as long as possible before the exam to give your body time to clear the immediate effects of nicotine and carbon monoxide.

Drugs

Refrain from using any illegal drugs before your exam. Testing positive for drug use will not reflect well on your application. Even if the insurance company is lenient with marijuana use, it is best to avoid it leading up to the exam. Also, be honest about any prescription medications you are taking, as these can impact your results.

Remember that making these temporary adjustments will help ensure more accurate lab results and may save you money on your life insurance premiums for the duration of the policy.

Eat healthily and drink more water

Eating healthily and drinking more water are key components of passing a life insurance physical. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. In fact, up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. A healthy diet can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by improving your cholesterol levels, reducing your blood pressure, helping you manage your body weight, and controlling your blood sugar.

So, what does a healthy, balanced diet look like? It's recommended to eat a variety of healthy foods each day, including plant-based foods, whole grains, and protein foods. Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit at every meal and snack. Choose whole grain options instead of processed or refined grains, and fill a quarter of your plate with these foods. Eat protein every day, including legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, shellfish, eggs, poultry, and dairy products.

In addition to eating a healthy diet, it's important to stay hydrated by drinking enough water. A good rule of thumb is to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. However, the amount you should drink can vary depending on factors such as your weight and exercise habits. If you're exercising, add 12 ounces of water to your daily intake for every 30 minutes of exercise. Monitor your urine to ensure you're adequately hydrated—if you're urinating about once every two to four hours and your urine is colorless or a very pale yellow, you're on the right track.

By eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying hydrated, you can not only improve your chances of passing a life insurance physical but also set yourself up for better long-term health.

Don't exercise before the exam

Exercise, especially cardio, can negatively impact your chances of beating a life insurance physical. It can raise your pulse and blood pressure, which are key indicators of health for insurers. If your pulse and blood pressure are too high, you may be deemed a high-risk customer and be charged higher premiums.

Cardio workouts can also negatively affect your cholesterol levels, which are closely monitored by life insurance companies. A high level of LDL cholesterol, for example, can indicate an increased risk of heart disease. Therefore, it is best to avoid cardio exercises such as running, cycling, and swimming in the days leading up to your life insurance physical.

Exercise can also increase protein levels in your urine, which may then require retesting. This is because exercise can cause muscle breakdown, leading to higher protein levels in the blood and urine. Increased protein levels in the urine can be a sign of kidney damage or other health issues.

In addition, strenuous exercise can affect your weight. If you are trying to get an accurate weight measurement during your life insurance physical, it is best to avoid any intense workouts beforehand. Weight is another factor that can influence your insurance rate classification, so it is important to maintain a stable weight leading up to the exam.

Overall, it is best to take it easy and avoid exercise, especially cardio work, in the 24 hours before your life insurance physical. This will help ensure that your pulse, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight are all within healthy ranges, potentially qualifying you for lower insurance rates.

Wear lightweight clothing

Wearing lightweight clothing to your life insurance physical is a good idea for a few reasons. Firstly, it can help the examiner to more easily check your blood pressure and collect a blood sample. Lightweight clothing can also make it easier to get an accurate weight measurement, which is important as weight can affect your rate class. If you usually weigh yourself with little to no clothing, wearing lightweight clothing for the physical could save you a few pounds on the scale and potentially lower your insurance rate.

It's also a good idea to wear clothing with sleeves that can be easily rolled up. This will make it easier for the examiner to access your arm when they are checking your blood pressure and collecting a blood sample.

In addition to wearing lightweight clothing, there are a few other things you can do to prepare for your life insurance physical. It's recommended that you get a good night's sleep before the exam, as this can help to lower your blood pressure. You should also avoid stressful situations, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco in the 24 hours leading up to the exam, as these can all affect your blood pressure and blood test results.

Overall, wearing lightweight clothing to your life insurance physical can make the process easier for both you and the examiner, and it may even help you get a better rate on your insurance policy.

Get a good night's sleep

A good night's sleep is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. When preparing for a life insurance physical, getting a full night's rest is crucial for multiple reasons. Firstly, adequate sleep helps regulate vital signs such as pulse and blood pressure. Arriving at the exam well-rested can lead to more favourable pulse and blood pressure readings, which are factors considered by insurance companies when determining your risk class.

Secondly, sleep helps to offset anxiety and fear. The life insurance physical can be a stressful experience for some individuals, and adequate sleep ensures you are in a calm and relaxed state for the exam. This is especially important since anxiety and nervousness can lead to elevated blood pressure, which may impact your risk assessment.

To ensure a good night's sleep before your life insurance physical, it is recommended to get at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Create a relaxing bedtime routine, avoid stressful activities or situations, and limit screen time at least 30 minutes before bedtime. It is also advisable to avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these substances can disrupt sleep and impact your vital signs.

Additionally, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule in the days leading up to the exam can help regulate your body's internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. This will ensure you are in optimal condition for the life insurance physical, allowing the examiner to obtain accurate readings and assess your overall health.

Remember, getting a good night's sleep is a vital part of preparing for your life insurance physical, and it can help create a positive and stress-free experience.

Frequently asked questions