Scottish Widows is highlighting the importance of financial protection to coincide with National Heart Month in February.
There are an estimated 2.3 million people in the UK living with coronary heart disease.
It's the biggest cause of mortality, with around one in six men and one in ten women dying from the disease.
It causes more than 73,000 deaths in the UK every year.
Heart-related disorders were the second largest cause of life cover and critical illness claims at Scottish Widows in 2014.
Heart conditions accounted for 20% of life cover claims and 17% of critical illness claims.
Scott Cadger, head of underwriting and claims Strategy at Scottish Widows, said: "No one can predict what the future holds, but we can put plans in place to help deal with difficult situations.
"Only 37% of people in the UK have life assurance and just 13% have critical illness cover, but financial protection is something that everyone should consider to take away some of the hardship that might follow such difficult circumstances."
