Tips for a Better Life Insurance Health Exam

When it comes to your medical exam for life insurance, you may think there’s nothing you can do to prepare. However, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your numbers that might help you get a better rate.

Eat foods that can improve your blood work for at least 1-2 weeks prior to the exam. That means lots of leafy greens, like spinach, broccoli, kale, and chard, to help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Also eat avocados, which help raise good cholesterol. Avoid processed foods and anything high in salt and sugar.

Drink lots of water the day leading up to your exam. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out your system and makes it easier to draw blood. Avoid coffee, since it acts as a diuretic and causes you to lose water and can temporally elevate blood pressure.

Don’t exercise or consume alcohol for at least 24 hours before your exam. While exercise is usually a good thing, it can temporarily elevate your blood pressure and urine proteins. Likewise, avoid supplements, such as creatine, for a few days, as it may be present in urine and result in a higher rate. Avoid all beer and liquor to prevent elevated triglycerides.

Don’t eat for at least 8 hours prior to your health exam. If you fail to fast prior to your exam, you risk displaying high blood sugar and blood pressure levels. There’s no way for the examiner to know this is just a false positive, and it will impact your rates.

Are you looking for the best rates on the life insurance coverage you need? Here at McIntire & Associates, we work independently with a variety of insurers to always find you the best rates.