Are older applicants who have had coronary bypass surgery more risky to insure?
Actually studies are now showing that the elderly who undergo bypass and balloon-angioplasty procedures have better mortality expectations than the general population of elders. This makes sense given the very high prevalence of CHD in the population over age 65 and the fact that half of those affected (including life insurance applicants) have the disease but no symptoms and are at risk for sudden death. To survive bypass surgery or balloon-angioplasty is the equivalent of going through a rigorous selection process. Such individuals have survived both the presentation and treatment of their heart disease. Q: Do older men and women differ in their risk for heart disease? A: Prior to menopause, estrogen protects women from developing significant CHD. Around the time of menopause, rates of atherosclerosis begin to increase more rapidly in women than in men. With increasing age, this tends to close the gap in rates of CHD deaths between the two genders. Women who suffer heart attacks have
