Okay, you are applying for a life insurance policy and you have been told the insurance company requires a medical exam (paid for by the insurance company). The exam typically consists of blood and urine samples, blood pressure readings, height and weight measurement and a medical questionnaire. The health class the insurance company assigns you will determine your rates. Information from the medical exam will be used by the insurance company to help determine your health class, so it is important that you get the best results possible.
The following tips are to help you attain the most favorable and accurate exam results possible:
- If you can, it’s best to fast for a period of at least eight hours prior to the exam. This will result in more accurate blood test results. Early morning appointments may be appropriate.
- If you must eat prior to the exam, no heavy meals and little or no caffeine on the morning of the exam. Decaffeinated coffee and a light breakfast would be best.
- Stay off salt for 3-4 days prior to exam. This may have a beneficial effect on your blood pressure.
- No alcohol for 24 hours prior to the exam, as alcohol tends to elevate blood pressure for 12 -24 hours.
- Get a good night’s rest before the examination.
- If you smoke, don’t smoke within 30 minutes of the exam. Smoking tends to constrict artery walls and elevate blood pressure.
- If you have an acute illness (i.e. the flu), you should consider rescheduling the exam as some acute illnesses affect the urine and blood tests.
- (For females) You should tell the examiner if you have your menses as this affects the urine and a notation can be put on the lab slip.
I hope this helps.