High Blood Pressure and Insurance

by Matt Malouf - Vision Personal Training
02 9232 7776
Level 1, 16 O'Connell Street
Sydney, NSW 2000

What is high blood pressure?

Imagine that your arteries are pipes that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) occurs when your blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal.

A normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 140/90, you have something called "prehypertension."  The first figure is a systolic reading and is a measure of pressure at its highest (when the heart is pushing the blood). The second reading is the diastolic pressure taken when the heart is at rest.

High blood pressure damages your blood vessels. This in turn raises your risk of stroke, kidney failure, heart disease and heart attack. It does Not usually have any specific symptoms. This is why it's so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Treatment

Treatment begins with changes you can make to your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart, These include:

• Lifestyle changes 
• Don't smoke cigarettes or use any tobacco product.
• Lose weight if you're overweight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables and is low in fat.
• Limit your sodium, alcohol and caffeine intake.
• Try relaxation techniques

High Blood Pressure and Insurance

Every case is different when it comes to insurance, the insurer will be concerned by:

1. Has the condition been investigated and a cause identified?
2. is the condition being appropriately managed and is it under control?
3. The date it was first diagnosed
4. The last reading
5. Has your treatment altered?

Once they have all the information at hand, the result can range from standard rates, a possible loading on your premiums or even a decline.

Make sure you contact your doctor or health professional for a check up, keeping active and eating right can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure range.