Obtaining Affordable Life Insurance with Aortic Insufficiency

What is Aortic Insufficiency or Aortic Valve Regurgitation?

The human heat consists of four valves; the aortic valve, the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve, and the pulmonary valve. The aortic valves are responsible for pushing blood out of the heart into the aorta, which is the main artery in the human body. The aorta travels from the heart down to the legs where it splits to deliver blood to the right and left legs.

Aortic insufficiency, also known as aortic valve regurgitation, is a fairly common heart valve disorder that affects about 200,000 Americans each year. Aortic insufficiency is caused by an aortic heart valve that does not close properly. When the aortic valve does not close completely after each heartbeat, blood can flow backwards into the chambers of the heart, also referred to as aortic valve regurgitation.

Over time, this increased stress causes the walls of the heart’s ventricles to thicken, further preventing the heart from pumping enough blood to the rest of the body. When the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to the body, congestive heart failure occurs.

Aortic insufficiency is commonly caused by exposure to rheumatic fever, elevated blood pressure, or congenital heart issues that have been present since birth. Other causes of aortic insufficiency include endocarditis, chest trauma, and systemic lupus. Aortic insufficiency disproportionally affects men and it is most common in individuals over the age of 60.

What are Common Symptoms and Treatments for Aortic Insufficiency?

Oftentimes, aortic insufficiency is asymptomatic and many patients do not develop any symptoms for a number of years. However, aortic insufficiency is progressive and its symptoms may slowly develop over time or appear suddenly.

In moderate to severe situations, aortic insufficiency eventually causes congestive heart failure. Like other heart issues, common symptoms of aortic insufficiency or congestive heart failure include: swollen legs and ankles, chest pains, fainting spells, shortness of breath, fatigue, and difficulty exercising.

Aortic insufficiency may be detected early if your doctor finds a heart murmur, palpitations, low diastolic blood pressure, or fluid in your lungs during a routine physical exam. Common lab tests that are used to detect aortic insufficiency include: an aortic angiography, an echocardiogram, MRI, X-Ray, or a heart catheterization. If aortic insufficiency is suspected, your doctor or cardiologist may recommend an exercise electrocardiogram, also known as a treadmill stress test, to determine the severity of the insufficiency or regurgitation within your aortic valve.

If your aortic insufficiency is considered to be severe, your doctor or cardiologist will likely recommend a heart valve repair or replacement surgery. We’ve created an extensive guide to purchasing life insurance after a heart valve repair surgery or a heart valve replacement procedure here.

What Do Life Insurance Companies Consider When Approving an Applicant with Aortic Insufficiency?

When approving an applicant for life insurance with aortic insufficiency, the life insurance company will consider a variety of factors when determine an applicant’s risk and cost of coverage.

When aortic insufficiency is diagnosed, your doctor or cardiologist will diagnosis the degree of the aortic insufficiency as “slight”, “mild”, “moderate”, or “severe”. Life insurance companies are the most lenient with applicants who have “slight” aortic valve insufficiency because these applicants do not show symptoms.

If the aortic valve insufficiency has been diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe, your life insurance agent will ask you some additional qualifying questions. These questions will help your agent determine which life insurance company will offer you the most affordable options for coverage.

• Do you experience any symptoms from your aortic insufficiency like light-headedness, dizziness, chest pains, difficulty exercising, heart palpitations, or shortness of breath?
• Are you having regular follow-up visits with your doctor to evaluate whether or not your aortic insufficiency is progressing?
• Have you have an echocardiogram or heart imaging test completed in the last 3 years?
• Do you smoke cigarettes or use any tobacco products like e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, or a pipe?
• Are you taking any medications to help control your aortic valve insufficiency, or are you taking any other medications?
• Do you have any other health issues like a history of strokes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, elevated cholesterol, or diabetes?
• Have you ever had any heart surgeries performed such as a heart valve repair or replacement surgery, an angioplasty, or a bypass procedure?

Every life insurance company evaluates applicants with aortic insufficiency differently, and some companies are more lenient than others. When you apply for life insurance, the company you apply with will evaluate your medical information bureau report, prescription history, and any related attending physician statements.

By answering these questions upfront, an experienced life insurance agent will be able to rule out any companies that may decline your application or charge you a higher rate for coverage.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for My Life Insurance with Aortic Valve Insufficiency?

As we mentioned earlier, every life insurance company evaluates applicants with aortic valve issues differently. Depending on your overall health, age, and lifestyle, one company may be able to offer you a much better rate than another.

Our agents are trained in underwriting and our company has the underwriting criteria from dozens of top-rated life insurance companies. By having access to these guidelines we’re able to match our clients with the insurance company that is the best fit for their particular health profile.

Below are some actual life insurance rates for female and male applicants who are non-tobacco users with “slight” to “mild” aortic valve insufficiency.

If you would like to obtain rates based on your actual age, or if you need an accurate quote for a longer terms or varying amounts of coverage, please call us at 855-247-9555. We can also help you determine your best options if your aortic insufficiency is considered to be moderate or severe, or if you have had any surgeries completed.

How We Can Help You Save Money On Your Life Insurance

At JRC, our agents have multiple years of experience and we specialize in helping people who are in less than perfect health with their life insurance needs. Our agency is owner-operated and our agents do not have quotas or sales goals to meet each day. We pride ourselves in always putting our client’s needs first and we spend the time needed with each potential client to help them understand their options for insurance.

By working with more than 63 top-rated life insurance companies we can help you save time and money on your policy by shopping the market to ensure you receive the best rates available. Our services are free, and there is no cost to apply for coverage. Give us a call today, toll-free at 855-247-9555, or request a free quote. In a few minutes we can help you save up to 73% on the cost of your life insurance policy.