The two valves on the left side of the heart are the aortic valve - connecting the left ventricle and aorta (the major artery coming off the heart) - and the mitral valve connecting the left atrium with the left ventricle. Both valves should allow blood to pass through when required and prevent any backward flow. The valves can become narrowed, often as a result of chronic scarring and sometimes secondary to a history of rheumatic fever and this condition is called stenosis. This forces the left ventricle (LV) to work harder and can result in LV hypertrophy (enlargement), LV dysfunction and ultimately cardiac failure. Symptoms can include reduced exercise capacity, syncope, dyspnoea and oedema. Surgical intervention is usually necessary.
| Classification (for illustrative purposes only) | |
|---|---|
| Mild | Normal exercise capacity, normal electrocardiogram, 24 hour Holter monitor and chest x-ray, mild abnormalities only on echocardiogram. |
| Moderate | Normal exercise capacity, normal electrocardiogram, 24 hour Holter monitor with some abnormalities on echocardiogram and chest x-ray. |
| Severe | Limitation of exercise capacity, with abnormalities electrocardiogram, 24 hour Holter monitor, chest x-ray and echocardiogram. |
What information should my client provide?
Your customer should complete the General medical disclosure fast-track questionnaire
Likely acceptance terms
The ratings below assume no other additional factors or complications are present.
If your client has a history of any additional risk factors such as atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, stroke, transient ischaemic attack or hypertension then terms may only be available in select cases.
Life cover
If there has been no surgical intervention, then from +50% up, depending on age and classification. If severe, cover will be declined.
Where there has been surgical intervention, then postpone within a year. Thereafter, from +125% up depending on the type of surgery, age and classification.
Specified illness cover, income protector
Cover will be declined.
Hospital cash cover, accident cover, contribution cover
Cover will be declined.
Please note that likely acceptance terms are indicative only and cases are subject to full underwriting.
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