November 23, 2021
Medical Underwriting Corner: Cardiac Testing- The Echocardiogram
In cases involving cardiac conditions, echocardiogram results are important in the underwriting assessment.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It produces images of the hearts structure and pumping function.
The echocardiogram shows the 4 cardiac chambers:
- Right atrium
- Right ventricle
- Left atrium
- Left ventricle
It also shows the 4 cardiac valves:
- Tricuspid valve
- Pulmonic valve
- Mitral valve
- Aortic valve
Parts of the large vessels involved in blood circulation, including the pulmonary arteries and the aorta may also be seen.
The echocardiogram allows review of the muscle pumping function of the heart in real time and can determine whether the heart is pumping efficiently and in a coordinated manner. It also measures the heart chamber sizes and assesses the integrity of the heart valves. Heart muscle pumping function of the left ventricle is an important measure, and it is referred to as the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF or EF).
It is useful in investigating various heart conditions, such as:
- Congenital birth defects
- Abnormal changes in heart muscle that may occur due to long-time high blood pressure
- Integrity of heart muscle function in cases of heart attack and in heart failure with low EF
- Valvular heart disease
In cases involving cardiac conditions, often an echocardiogram is done as one of many cardiac tests, and the results are important in the underwriting assessment of the case.
Many aspects of cardiac cases can be assessed by questions on the application and on the Cardiac Questionnaire (link to questionnaire).
Underwriting information needed:
- Please list full details on the application including any specific impairment(s)
- Physician follow-up information
- Date last seen
- Specialist contact information
- Any pending appointments or tests
For any specific questions or inquiries on an applicant with a history of cardiac impairment, please submit a Quick Quote to our Underwriting team; underwritingquotes@nationalllife.com. The best offer is made whenever possible according to underwriting guidelines.
