This category of disorders includes chronic heart failure, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, cardiac transplants, aneurysms involving the aorta, chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral arterial disease and a variety of cardiac syndromes.  

All cardiac disorders are serious and potentially deadly. While medical science has made great strides in the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders, they can still result in significant disability. As with most other impairments, a finding of disability may be predicated on the existence of certain findings, as documented by recognized cardiovascular tests or on the basis of characteristic symptoms, such as angina, shortness of breath and fatigue, that effectively preclude gainful work activity.  

In all disability cases, one must take into account the effect of prescribed treatment in determining the degree of an individual's impairment. This is particularly true in cardiac cases.  

Thanks to modern medical advances, many victims of cardiovascular disease can now continue to live active and productive lives. We generally advise individuals with acute cardiac disorders, including heart attack, to defer filing for disability benefits until their physician is in a position to assess the success of treatment and the long-range prospects for returning to work.