What is Ischemic Heart Disease?
Table of Contents
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a term that refers to a collection of clinical syndromes that are defined by myocardial ischemia, or an imbalance in the supply and demand of myocardial blood. Because the underlying pathophysiologic defect in the ischemic myocardium is insufficient perfusion, ischemia is linked with diminished food availability and insufficient metabolic end product clearance. The repercussions of oxygen deprivation cannot be separated from the effects of poor metabolite washout in myocardial ischemia. In conditions associated with isolated hypoxemia and preserved perfusion (such as cyanotic congenital heart disease, severe anemia, or advanced lung disease), the detrimental effects on the myocardium are generally less pronounced, emphasizing the critical role of metabolite removal and substrate supply in the pathogenesis of ischemic injury.
In Western cultures, the clinical symptoms of IHD cause more fatalities, morbidity, and economic burden than any other category of disorders. IHD affects an estimated 16.3 million Americans; the annual incidence of its most lethal acute manifestation, myocardial infarction, is estimated to be 610,000 new events and 325,000 recurrent occurrences. Despite the progressive drop in death rates from IHD as a result of improved treatment options and preventive measures, coronary disease was responsible for 1 in every 6 fatalities in the United States in 2007. In the majority of individuals with IHD, myocardial ischemia is caused by a decrease in coronary blood flow caused by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Due to the slow progression of coronary atherosclerosis and the excess capacity of the major coronary arteries, a prolonged period of silent coronary disease and gradual luminal narrowing typically precedes the onset of clinical ischemia symptoms. IHD symptoms vary according to the duration, intensity, and sharpness of ischemia events. Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a group of clinical disorders that include unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, and ST elevation myocardial infarction. In chronic IHD, on the other hand, the existence of flow-limiting coronary lesions impairs the heart’s ability to increase blood supply in response to increases in myocardial oxygen demand, resulting in the development of angina pectoris, a brief discomfort in the chest and adjacent areas. This chapter discusses the basic pathophysiologic effects of myocardial ischemia, the detrimental and reparative responses to acute myocardial infarction, and lastly the myocardial effects of chronic IHD.
Social Disability Benefits For Ischemic Heart Disease
Ischemic heart disease, including symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia, is a condition specified in the Social Security Impairment Listing Manual, also known as the “Blue Book,” and it may qualify a person for Social Security Disability benefits. For someone to pass the criteria of the bluebook and receive Social Security Disability Benefits, the applicant must demonstrate that their condition leads in “very significant restrictions in the ability to initiate, sustain, or complete activities of daily living independently.”
Blue Book Section 4.00 Cardiovascular System- Adult contains information on the conditions to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if you have ischemic heart disease. You will need your complete physical examination findings as well as the results of any heart tests that have been performed. In most cases, you will additionally want the results of an exercise tolerance test. It is critical that these tests are reasonably up to date (within the past year).
This is an extremely dangerous condition. It’s a chronic condition that often worsens over time. Infections and other forms of stress on your body caused by various medical disorders will also worsen your symptoms. It is critical to discuss your issue with your doctor in order to enhance it as much as feasible. You should also ensure that all prescribed treatments are followed and documented, as qualifying for disability payments frequently entails demonstrating that your health has not improved sufficiently despite therapy.
Building a Disability Case due to Ischemic Heart Disease
The majority of disability applicants believe that having their case examined and handled by a knowledgeable Social Security Disability attorney is in their best interests. Even patients suffering from life-threatening diseases such as ischemic heart disease are occasionally denied benefits. Often, the reasons for such denials might have been addressed had the application been handled by an expert disability lawyer.
To learn more about claiming for Social Security Disability benefits if you have been diagnosed with IHD, contact a Social Security Disability attorney immediately by obtaining a free Social Security Disability case evaluation.