Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular Disorders
Heart conditions are among the leading causes of disability in the United States. When determining whether a heart or circulatory condition is severe enough to qualify a claimant for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration uses Section 4 of the Blue Book.
Cardiovascular disorders affect the functioning of the heart or the circulatory system (including the arteries, veins and capillaries) and include:
- chronic heart failure – To qualify for disability benefits, your condition must have has systolic or diastolic heart failure. Additionally, your heart conditions must fall within given parameters while it is stable. Additionally, you must meet one of the following conditions: Poor performance on an exercise tolerance test, two or more occurrences of heart failure within one year (must have fluid retention and require hospitalization), or symptoms which would limit your ability to work and which would suggest that an exercise test would present a danger to you.
- ischemic heart disease – To qualify for disability benefits, you must meet one or more of the following: Coronary artery disease (this requires an angiography, medical imaging, and either an exercise test or medical documentation showing why an exercise test would be too dangerous to your health), three distinct ischemic episodes, with each of them needing revasucularization (or in which revascularization is not possible), or an exercise test which shows that you fall within the SSA’s guidelines for complete disability.
- recurrent arryhythmias – To qualify for disability benefits based on recurring arrhythmias, the medical evidence must show that the condition is not reversible and that it results in near syncope or syncope.
- congenital heart disease – For symptomatic congenital heart disease, the SSA considers evidence from medical imaging or a heart catheter. They will look to see whether your hematocrit levels and O2 saturation meet with their criteria. You may also qualify if you have right to left shunting or if your systolic pressure is significantly elevated (70% of systemic or higher)
- aneurysm of aorta or major branches – Regardless of the cause, you will be considered disabled if appropriate medical imaging confirm an aneurysm of the aorta or any major branch.
- peripheral arterial\coronary artery disease – Must be shown by medical imaging and fall within the SSA’s guidelines for your blood pressure.
The Social Security Administration recognizes that cardiovascular impairment results from one or more of the following: chronic heart failure or ventricular dysfunction; discomfort or pain due to myocardial ischemia; syncope (loss of consciousness) due to inadequate cerebral perfusion or blood flow and central cyanosis (bluish discoloration around core, lips and tongue).
These disorders must be supported by medical testing including electrocardiograph\ electrocardiogram, coronary angiography, arteriogram, electrophysiological study, exercise test, exercise tolerance test and cardiac catheterization.
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