A complete guide to high cholesterol and travel insurance (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to declare high cholesterol on travel insurance? ›

If you're about to sign up for travel insurance, make it clear that you have this condition when you register. If you don't tell your insurer about a pre-existing medical condition (including high cholesterol), you may not be able to claim if something happens as a result of your condition on holiday.

In many cases, particularly if your cholesterol is well controlled by medication, adding this to the policy should not impact the price of your insurance.

While you may not be denied coverage due to having high cholesterol, you could be subject to higher premiums. This is because high cholesterol is a risk indicator for heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Therefore, insurance companies can see you as more of a risk to insure and may charge you higher rates.

Consider visiting your doctor for a health check-up before you travel. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your plans are suitable. If your cholesterol levels are high, they may be able to recommend a better time for you to travel or for you to change your holiday slightly.

Examples of pre-existing medical conditions include, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol or a long-term back condition.

Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other problems. Common medical terms for high blood cholesterol are lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia, with the last being the most precise.

Lovastatin was followed by simvastatin (Zocor^®), fluvastatin (Lescol^®), pravastatin (Pravachol^®), atorvastatin (Lipitor^®), pitavastatin (Livalo^®), and rosuvastatin (Crestor^®). Every statin listed here is on the FAA Accepted Medications Database as approved for use while flying.

Heart conditions - it's a vague term and could be anything from heart arrhythmia to heart failure, disease, angina or heart attacks. We understand the importance of covering these conditions and any relating complications, therefore have developed a fully comprehensive policy which does just that!

While statins are highly effective and safe for most people, they have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems and mental fuzziness in some people. Rarely, they may cause liver damage. If you think you're experiencing side effects from taking statins, don't just stop taking the pills.

The longer you have high cholesterol, the more likely you are to develop heart disease. In one study, people who had high levels for 11 years or more had double the risk than those who had them for 10 years or less.

Is my life over if I have high cholesterol? ›

Untreated or undertreated high cholesterol is associated with a lower life span due to the risk of heart attack and stroke. But it's still possible to live a long life with high cholesterol, provided you follow a heart-healthy lifestyle and take medication if needed.

Standard Rate – A total cholesterol level of 300-350 mg/dL or less with a cholesterol/HDL ratio of 8.0 or less will likely result in standard rates with most companies. Preferred Smoker Rate –Cholesterol level between 120-300, with or without medication. Your Chol/HDL Ratio is also important, and it may not exceed 5.5.

High intake of foods containing unhealthy fats (saturated fats and trans fats) – such as fatty meats and deli-style meats, butter, cream, ice cream, coconut oil, palm oil and most deep-fried takeaway foods and commercially baked products (such as pies, biscuits, buns and pastries).

You have to fast for about 10 hours before the test because triglyceride levels can shoot up 20%–30% after a meal, which would throw off the equation. Alcohol also causes a triglyceride surge, so you shouldn't drink alcohol for 24 hours before a fasting cholesterol test.

Generic rosuvastatin is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower. Ezetimibe (Zetia) is an expensive drug used to lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke.

As a result, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol are required under the Nutrition Facts panel of food labels. Information on the content of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat is optional. The Nutrition Facts label shows you how much fat is in a product, even if the fat is hidden as an ingredient.

Conditions which may not be covered

Conditions like terminal illness, the need for oxygen, pending surgery, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, specific types of cancer, congestive heart failure, and recurring pain are generally excluded from coverage.