How to Prepare for the Life Insurance Medical Exam

We often hear that one of the most nerve racking parts of applying for and securing life insurance is taking the medical exam. If you aren't young and in perfect health, preparing for your life insurance medical exam could rightfully stir up some anxiety for you.

While there is a lot riding on the life insurance medical exam, it's important to know what we are looking for and how you can improve your results, even if you only have a couple days or a few weeks before your test. During your exam, a medical technician will verify your medical history, height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and collect urine and blood samples. The technician may also perform an ECG/EKG if necessary.

The suggestions that we have for an improved life insurance medical exam are obvious - there's no way around that, but it doesn't mean that they are critical to your success. Read on to learn more about what to do before a life insurance medical exam.

Skip the snack pack and enjoy the salad.

Even with just a few days or a couple weeks before your exam, you may be able to lower your LDL levels and raise your HDL levels by making smart choices. Those scientists at Harvard support this finding in their October 2015 article. Take a look at their suggestions for getting yourself to healthy cholesterol levels with just a few simple diet changes.

Sleep in.

The day before your life insurance medical exam, try to get a good night's sleep. You may want to consider taking the morning off to ensure you're well rested for your test. Unsurprisingly, sleep can help improve a number of factors that we test for.

No drinking. No smoking. Good testing.

Avoid alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, caffeine and excessive sugar before taking your exam. All of these supplements can raise your blood pressure, affect your pulse and otherwise affect your test negatively. It's best to take a 24-hour moratorium on substances of any kind.

Water is your friend.

Drink nature's greatest gift, and drink a lot of it. You'll want to start drinking an increased amount of water a few days before your test, but you'll also want to make sure you drink plenty directly before your test so that you don't have any trouble providing a urine sample.

Don't exercise the day before.

This may seem backward, but avoid strenuous exercise the day before your life insurance medical exam. While exercise is an overall healthy choice, it can cause your blood pressure to increase which may negatively affect your test results.

Your medical exam shouldn't be taken lightly - it is important to securing life insurance, but that doesn't mean it should cause you undue stress. Do yourself a favor with water, salad and sleep, and you may be able to improve your results. If you have more questions about what to do before a life insurance medical exam, watch this short video.