Life Insurance with Mitral Valve Prolapse and Other Mitral Valve Disorders

By Jesse Hightower, CFP® (National Producer Number 832591), a licensed life insurance professional at Eterm.com & CIGI Direct Insurance Services - licensed in all 50 states and helping people get covered since 1986.
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) by itself usually does not stand between you and life insurance. MVP is one of the most common heart valve findings - by some estimates 2% to 6% of the population has it - and for applicants whose prolapse has not produced significant leakage, most insurance companies apply no extra charge at all. Standard rates are typical, and applicants who are otherwise healthy can even qualify for preferred classes. The picture changes when the valve leaks meaningfully (regurgitation), narrows (stenosis), or causes complications - and that is where knowing how underwriters think, and which company to apply to, really pays.

The three mitral valve conditions underwriters see

• Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) - the valve's leaflets billow backward slightly. Often silent and found incidentally. On its own, with little or no leakage, it is generally viewed as a benign finding.
• Mitral regurgitation (MR) - the valve does not close completely, letting some blood flow backward. Graded mild, moderate, or severe based on the amount of leakage, usually measured by echocardiogram. MVP is the most common cause.
• Mitral stenosis (MS) - the valve opening has narrowed, restricting flow. Less common today; graded by how small the valve opening has become.

What underwriters look at

• Your echocardiogram. This is the key document. It grades the severity of any prolapse, leakage, or narrowing, and a recent echo with stable findings answers most of the questions an underwriter would otherwise have to assume the worst about.
• Severity. Mild findings are often not rated at all. Moderate findings typically receive a table rating (an extra charge). Severe regurgitation or stenosis narrows the options considerably, and severe stenosis is generally not insurable on an individual basis until it has been treated.
• Symptoms and complications. Chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and especially atrial fibrillation or heart failure change the underwriting picture far more than the valve finding itself.
• Your age. Counterintuitively, the same valve finding is often rated more leniently at older ages - a mild abnormality discovered at 65 has demonstrated decades of stability that the same finding at 25 has not.
• Surgical history. A successful valve repair with a good recovery is viewed favorably - the prognosis after repair is excellent. Valve replacement receives closer scrutiny and varies more by company.
• The company's own rulebook. Each insurer's underwriting manual grades these conditions differently. The same echocardiogram can produce a standard offer at one company and a rated offer - or a decline - at another.

What it costs

MVP without significant regurgitation typically means standard rates - see our sample term life insurance rates by age for what those look like. Moderate findings are commonly offered at a table rating, where each table adds roughly 25% to the standard premium. That makes company selection unusually valuable here: a one- or two-table difference between insurers - common for valve conditions - is a 25% to 50% premium difference for identical coverage.

How to apply smart with a valve condition

• Get your echocardiogram report before applying. If your last echo is more than a year or two old and your doctor considers a repeat reasonable, having current results prevents the insurer from assuming progression.
• Gather your cardiology records. A cardiologist's note documenting stability, no symptoms, and no follow-up concerns is the strongest card you can play.
• Do not apply blind. A decline goes on your record and can complicate future applications. An independent agency can shop your health profile informally - anonymously - across companies first, so your formal application goes to the insurer most likely to say yes at the best price. This is exactly what we do every day at (888) 823-8376.
• Mention everything, hide nothing. Valve findings are documented in medical records insurers will see. A complete, well-documented disclosure with good records reads as a managed condition; a surprise discovery reads as a risk.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get life insurance with mitral valve prolapse?

Yes. Mitral valve prolapse without significant leakage (regurgitation) usually does not affect your life insurance application at all - many applicants qualify for standard rates, and some for preferred classes. What matters to underwriters is whether the prolapse has progressed to meaningful regurgitation, and whether you have symptoms or complications.

Will a heart murmur raise my life insurance rates?

Not necessarily. A murmur is a sound, not a diagnosis - underwriters care about what is causing it. If an echocardiogram shows a structurally minor issue such as mild prolapse or trace regurgitation, many companies will not rate you up at all. A murmur with no recent echocardiogram may prompt the insurer to request one before making an offer.

Can I get life insurance after heart valve repair or replacement surgery?

Often, yes - especially after a successful valve repair, which insurers view favorably once you have recovered and follow-up testing looks good. Valve replacement is considered more significant, and outcomes vary by company, the valve type, and how you have done since surgery. This is a situation where applying to the right company matters enormously.

What is a table rating on life insurance?

A table rating is a standardized extra charge some applicants receive - each table step typically adds about 25% to the standard premium. Conditions like moderate mitral regurgitation are often offered coverage at a table rating rather than declined. Because each company assigns tables differently for the same condition, shopping multiple insurers through an independent agency frequently moves you one or more tables - a meaningful premium difference.

What if I have atrial fibrillation or heart failure along with a valve problem?

Valve disorders accompanied by complications such as atrial fibrillation or heart failure are much harder to place with traditional individual coverage, and many companies will decline. Options still exist - group coverage, simplified issue, and guaranteed issue policies - and our sister site HardToInsure.com specializes in exactly these situations. Call us at (888) 823-8376 and we will tell you honestly what is realistic.

The information above is general in nature. Underwriting outcomes depend on your individual circumstances and each insurance company's current guidelines.

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