Buying Life Insurance with Mitral Valve Stenosis

What Is Mitral Valve Stenosis?

The human heart consists of four valves that are responsible for regulating the flow of blood in and out of your heart and throughout your body. The mitral valve pumps blood into the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of your heart.

Mitral valve stenosis or mitral stenosis occurs when the mitral valve is narrowed and doesn’t open properly. The narrowed mitral valve blocks blood from flowing into the left ventricle of your heart.

Valve stenosis can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty exercising, shortness of breath, swelling of feet or ankles, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it can cause blood clots and heart failure, increasing your risk of a heart attack or a stroke.

Mitral valve stenosis is commonly caused by scarring related to rheumatic fever, with symptoms usually appearing 5 to 10 years after exposure. Incidences of rheumatic fever are almost equal in females and males, but females are much more likely to develop mitral stenosis as a result of rheumatic fever.

Calcium deposits on the mitral valve are common in men, especially after the age of 65. Recent studies suggest that mitral valve calcification may be genetic, putting you at a higher risk if one of your parents experienced aortic or mitral valve calcification.

Will Mitral Stenosis Prevent Me From Purchasing Affordable Life Insurance?

Every life insurance company evaluates applicants with heart issues differently, and some companies are more lenient with mitral stenosis than others. Mitral stenosis will prevent you from qualifying from the preferred rate categories, but depending on your overall health and age, some companies may be able to offer you a “standard” or average rate class.

By applying with the right company for your health profile, you can save up to 73% on the cost of your life insurance coverage. Purchasing from a company that specializes in life insurance rather than home or auto insurance is always your best bet. 

After the age of 60, applicants with slight to mild mitral valve stenosis are more likely to get approved at a “standard” rate class, but only with a handful of top-rated insurance companies. Some companies will automatically decline applicants with any type of heart issues, or charge higher “sub-standard” rates.

If your mitral stenosis has been classified as moderate or severe, you can expect to see sub-standard rates from the more lenient companies, while others may automatically decline your application.

If your mitral valve stenosis has been classified as severe, we recommend calling us directly to speak with one of our experienced agents. Within a few minutes, we’ll be able to advise you on the best options available. Give us a call toll-free at 855-247-9555.

What Do Life Insurance Companies Consider When Approving an Applicant with Mitral Stenosis?

Mitral valve stenosis is usually classified as slight, mild, moderate, or severe depending on the patient’s symptoms. Most slight or mild cases of mitral valve stenosis have no symptoms, and insurers are always the most lenient with applicants that fall into this category. Mitral stenosis is considered to be a progressive condition, so life insurance companies tend to be more accepting of applicants who are diagnosed with mitral stenosis later in life.

Here are some of the factors that the life insurance company will consider before approving a policy for an applicant with mitral valve stenosis:

Do You Take A Medication to Control your Mitral Stenosis?

Cases of mitral stenosis that do not require medication are typically classified as “slight” and are often eligible for standard life insurance rates. Mild to moderate cases of mitral valve stenosis are often managed with over the counter blood thinners like Aspirin, beta blockers, or anti-coagulants like Warfarin, Plavix, or Coumadin.

Life insurance companies tend to be the most lenient with applicants that do not require a prescription blood thinner to control their stenosis. If you take a medication like Aspirin or a beta blocker, you may be able to qualify for a “standard” rate class depending on your age.

If your mitral valve stenosis requires you to take a blood thinner like Plavix to reduce the occurrence of blood clots, the majority of the life insurance companies will likely offer you a sub-standard rate class.

Has Your Mitral Valve Stenosis Required Surgery?

Typically, only moderate to severe cases of mitral valve stenosis require surgery to require or replace the mitral valve. We’ve created an extensive guide for heart valve repair and heart valve replacement if you’d like to learn more. Applicants who had had either of these surgeries performed are usually eligible for mildly sub-standard rates.

If you have additional questions, or if you would like a quote, please feel free to call us directly at 855-247-9555 to speak with one of our experienced agents.

Life insurance companies will typically postpone your application for at least 6 to 12 months after your valve repair or replacement surgery has been performed.

Do You Have Regular Follow-Ups with Your Doctor or Cardiologist?

All life insurance companies prefer applicants who have regular follow-ups with their doctor and routine heart tests performed. Most insurance companies prefer applicants that have had an echocardiogram or EKG performed in the last 5 years, and some companies will automatically decline applicants who are not actively monitoring their condition.

Having regular follow-ups and routine heart tests with your doctor or cardiologist also illustrates that you are actively managing your mitral stenosis.

How Old Were You When You Diagnosed with Mitral Stenosis?

Life insurance companies tend to be much more forgiving with applicants who are diagnosed with mitral stenosis after the age of 50. Mitral stenosis is considered to be progressive and it often takes many years to show significant symptoms.

For this reason, the later in life you are when you apply for life insurance, generally the better your rate class will be. With that being said, it’s important to note that although you may qualify for a better rate class, life insurance tends to increase in cost by about 10% per year after the age of 55.

This is why we always recommend applying for life insurance sooner than later because in the long run it will save you considerable money. It’s also important to note that mitral stenosis is often hereditary. If you have a family history of aortic or mitral stenosis, we always recommend applying for coverage while you are young and healthy.

Life insurance coverage can be secured and guaranteed for 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. We also offer affordable life insurance options with guaranteed rates and coverage until age 90, 95, 100, or later. The policies are ideal for estate planning or funding a trust. 

Actual Life Insurance Rates for Applicants with Mitral Valve Stenosis

To help you estimate the cost of your life insurance, we’ve included some actual monthly rates by age for applicants with mitral valve stenosis. These rates assume that the stenosis is slight or mild and that no surgeries have been performed to repair or replace the mitral valve.

If you would like to see a more accurate rate based on your age, need a longer period of coverage, or if your mitral stenosis is considered moderate or severe, please feel free to call us toll-free at 855-247-9555. The rates displayed above are not accurate for anyone who requires a prescription blood thinner like Plavix, Warfarin, or Coumadin, or for applicants who have had a mitral valve repair or replacement surgery.

How We Can Help You Find the Insurer That is the Best Fit for You

At JRC Insurance Group, all of our agents are extensively trained in underwriting. By having access to 63 top-rated life insurance companies’ rates and underwriting guidelines, we’re able to match our clients to the best options available with only a few questions asked.

All of our agents have at least 5-10 years of experience, and collectively our agency has more than 100 years of collective experience. Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of clients with their life insurance needs. We can help you, too. Our shopping services are free and there is no cost to apply for life insurance protection.

Our owner-operated agency believes in taking our time with each client to make sure they receive impeccable customer service. Give us a call today at 855-247-9555, or request a free quote online.