Aortic valve replacement

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 aortic and mitral valves can become weakened and fail to close completely resulting in an abnormal reflux of blood from the aorta to the left ventricle. This can be secondary to many causes, the most common being a history of rheumatic fever. 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.

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, terms may only be available in select cases.

Life cover
Where there has been no surgery then +50% up depending on age and classification (see above). If severe, cover will be declined.
Where there has been surgical intervention - postpone within a year; +125% up thereafter, depending on type of surgery, age and classification

Specified illness cover, income protection
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.