Ed Hinerman On Life Insurance

Sleep apnea! Is it a life insurance issue?

April 7th, 2007

Most sleep apnea is diagnosed first by the spouse of the person who has it. Usually they would consider themselves to be the one that suffers from because one of the possible signs of sleep apnea is extraordinarily loud snoring. Actually sleep apnea, left untreated, is a real health issue and can lead to collateral health problems.

The American Sleep Apnea Assocation on their website www.sleepapnea.org kind of sums of sleep apnea like this” Sleep apnea is very common, as common as adult diabetes, and affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Risk factors include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. Yet still because of the lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals, the vast majority remain undiagnosed and therefore untreated, despite the fact that this serious disorder can have significant consequences.

Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues.

So, from a life insurance standpoint there is good reason to evaluate the risk carefully. While most well controlled sleep apnea can be underwritten at better than standard rates, it still comes down to compliance and control. The use of a cpap machine while sleeping is not the easiest thing to get used to and many people with sleep apnea are not as compliant with doctors orders as they should be. Occasional use is not what was prescribed and does not provide the control that is needed to avoid collateral health issues.

Sleep apnea can cause sleep deprivation and underwriters, for instance, will take an especically cautious look at a private pilot with sleep apnea. Falling asleep at the wheel can have definite mortality risk ramifications.

Surgical repair of obstructive sleep apnea often completely resolves the issue with no further treatment needed. In these cases, as long as all other risk factors are in balance, preferred rates may be available. Remember though. All other risk factors in balance!!!! If you have the apnea surgically corrected and still weight 290 #’s, don’t expect preferred rates.

Seek out an independent life insurance agent to help you analyze your situation and track down the best possible life insurance quotes for you.

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Entry Filed under: Build, Independent agent, Sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, insurance, insurance quotes, life insurance, private pilots