Travel Insurance for High Blood Pressure

What is high blood pressure?

Having high blood pressure, or hypertension, means that the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently higher than it should be. It’s one of the most common circulatory conditions in the UK, and most people with it feel completely well. Many only find out at a routine check at the GP surgery or pharmacy.

Left untreated, it puts extra strain on the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes, and raises the chances of a heart attack or stroke. Treatment usually starts with lifestyle changes such as less salt, more exercise, and cutting down on alcohol, and many people go on to take one or more tablets. The NHS high blood pressure page explains the readings and treatment.

Why do I need to declare high blood pressure for travel insurance?

High blood pressure is a pre-existing medical condition once it’s been diagnosed and is being treated or monitored. We ask about it because, over time, raised blood pressure increases the risk of a stroke, a heart attack, or kidney problems, and any of those could mean emergency treatment abroad. A sudden change in your readings before you go could also lead to cancelling.

If it isn’t declared, a claim linked to it could be refused or the amount reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with high blood pressure?

Yes, in most cases. High blood pressure is very common, and the screening decides whether cover is offered. Well-controlled blood pressure on regular tablets is usually viewed quite differently from blood pressure that’s hard to control, recently changed medication, or hypertension that has already caused heart, kidney, or eye problems.

What we’ll ask about your high blood pressure

It only takes a few minutes to get through the online medical screening. The questions about your high blood pressure focus on how many tablets you take and whether your readings are under control. Once that’s done, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Once everything is declared, you’ll reach the quote page. If cover is available for your high blood pressure and your other conditions, you’ll see a choice of quotes, each with the cost of your medical cover included in the premium. Should we be unable to cover you, you’ll know before proceeding.

If your health changes before travelling

Blood pressure doesn’t always stay where you want it. If, before your trip, you start a new tablet or a different dose, you visit hospital, you’re referred to a specialist, or you receive a new diagnosis, you must let us know. It may mean reviewing your cover or referring your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. Not telling us about a change in your medical can lead to a future claim being affected or denied.

What can high blood pressure travel insurance cover?

When high blood pressure is accepted, emergency treatment abroad linked to it can be covered. If you collapsed in the heat in Dubai and were admitted to hospital with dangerously high blood pressure, that treatment can be covered, as can repatriation if you need medical help to return. Cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If a related problem before your trip means you can’t go, cancellation cover may help recover what you’ve spent.

The policy won’t cover routine check-ups, planned treatment abroad, or anything linked to undeclared conditions.

Will high blood pressure affect the cost of travel insurance?

Blood pressure is one of the most common conditions people declare, and it can affect the price. This is decided by your online medical screening, which may ask how yours is treated and how well it’s controlled. Other general things matter too, like your age, where you’re going, and for how long. The price is shown to you before you buy.

Single trip or annual cover with high blood pressure

A single trip policy covers one holiday. If you go away more often, annual cover is usually worth a look. It’s available subject to your screening result.

Travelling with high blood pressure: practical tips

These are general tips, separate from your insurance cover.

Keep taking your tablets as usual, and pack enough to cover the trip and a few days of delay. If you’re flying across several time zones, ask your pharmacist how to shift your dose times gradually.

Some blood pressure medicines, particularly diuretics (water tablets), can make dehydration more likely in hot weather. Drink plenty, take breaks in the shade and watch for dizziness when standing up. If you feel faint or unwell, sit or lie down and seek advice rather than pushing on.

Holiday habits can nudge blood pressure up: salty food, more alcohol, broken sleep and the stress of travel. You don’t have to be perfect, but it helps to drink water between drinks and keep moving.

If you check your blood pressure at home, a small monitor is easy to pack. Write down a few readings before you go so you know what’s normal for you. Take care with cold and flu remedies bought abroad, as some decongestants can raise blood pressure. A pharmacist can suggest suitable alternatives.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip, declare your high blood pressure and anything else you’ve been diagnosed with, then choose a level of cover. The price is shown before you pay.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Circulatory Pages

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Travel Insurance
• Atherosclerosis Travel Insurance
• Blood Clots Travel Insurance
• Brain Aneurysm Travel Insurance
• Cardiovascular Disease Travel Insurance
• Deep Vein Thrombosis Travel Insurance
• Haemophilia Travel Insurance
• High Blood Pressure Travel Insurance
• High Cholesterol Travel Insurance
• Iron Deficiency Anaemia Travel Insurance
• Kawasaki Disease Travel Insurance
• Low Blood Pressure Travel Insurance
• Lymphoedema Travel Insurance
• Peripheral Vascular Disease Travel Insurance
• Pulmonary Embolism Travel Insurance
• Pulmonary Hypertension Travel Insurance
• Sickle Cell Disease Travel Insurance
• Stroke Travel Insurance
• Thalassaemia Travel Insurance
• Transient Ischaemic Attack Travel Insurance
• Varicose Veins Travel Insurance
• Vascular Dementia Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.