Heart Disease Disability Benefits

Heart disease is very common and can lead to successful Social Security disability claims.

There are many ways your ticker can be ailing. Let me talk about the ones that are the most common basis for a Social Security disability claim.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

First up is coronary artery disease (CAD). The heart is a muscle. It has to have a blood supply. This comes via arteries that are on or in the heart wall. In CAD one or more of these arteries gets clogged up so that the heart doesn’t get enough blood supply. The result is usually angina. That’s most commonly pain in the chest but the pain may be felt in other places like the back, neck, or left arm. The pain is usually experienced with exertion. Doctors do an excellent job in treating CAD these days. If the blockage isn’t too bad, they thread a catheter to the heart and put in a stent to open the artery and keep it open. If the blockage is worse or not accessible to a catheter, they can do open heart surgery to bypass the blocked artery. Usually, but not always, they can stop the angina and allow the patient to get on with his or her life, including work. When treatment doesn’t work, Social Security disability may be a possibility.

Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure)

Next up is heart failure, often called congestive heart failure. This happens when the heart is damaged and can’t pump enough blood. This damage can come from a heart attack, advanced CAD, or cardiomyopathy, among other reasons. Since the heart isn’t able to pump the blood with enough vigor, the blood backs up in the body, causing swelling in the lungs or legs. If this happens to you, there may be general weakness and fatigue or shortness of breath. Heart failure leads to many Social Security disability claims. The biggest marker that Social Security looks at in heart failure cases is the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) or just Ejection Fraction.

Ejection Fraction (LVEF)

LVEF shows how good a job the heart is doing pumping blood. Normal is around 55%. If that gets down in the 30s, much less below, you’ll feel symptoms. Doctors often tell patients what their Ejection Fraction is. If you’ve been told you have heart failure or cardiomyopathy, pay attention to this. Ask if they don’t mention your ejection fraction. Your ejection fraction will be the most important number in your life.

Heart disease is complicated. If that’s the basis for your Social Security disability claim, you need help from an experienced Social Security attorney.