It happens with any map in which objects are placed at the highest grid level. The life bar itself doesn't overlap circles much, but the shadow is a bit more annoying. Approach circles are especially difficult to see sometimes. Stacked notes (even if they are just 2-3) are much worse, and I've seen it from some ranked maps, but I can't remember any off-hand. Here are some examples:
Emerald Sword:
http://up.ppy.sh/files/screenshot010-13.png with default
http://up.ppy.sh/files/screenshot011-12.png with Touhou
Test map I made just to put objects at the top:
http://up.ppy.sh/files/screenshot009-9.png default
http://up.ppy.sh/files/screenshot008-14.png Touhou
Emerald Sword:
http://up.ppy.sh/files/screenshot010-13.png with default
http://up.ppy.sh/files/screenshot011-12.png with Touhou
Test map I made just to put objects at the top:
http://up.ppy.sh/files/screenshot009-9.png default
http://up.ppy.sh/files/screenshot008-14.png Touhou