Houston Social Security
Disability Attorney

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Photo of David Dopkin

Can you get Social Security Disability benefits if you had a heart attack?

On Behalf of | Jan 6, 2021 | Social Security Disability Benefits for Illness

If you have a heart attack, you might decide you need to make significant changes in your life. One of those changes might be to quit your high-pressure job. However, having heart attack does not necessarily mean you can file for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

Social Security Disability is only claimable if illness affects your ability to work

To receive Social Security Disability, you need to have an illness or condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months. Many people make good recoveries from heart attacks. They take the event as a warning and make changes. They either return to their old job and take it easier or find a new, less stressful job somewhere else.

Heart attacks may be a sign of an underlying condition that is claimable

A heart attack can be a sign of an underlying condition. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not list heart attacks as a qualifying condition in their Blue Book. However, they do list various cardiovascular impairments under which you might be able to claim benefits, including:

  • Chronic heart failure
  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Recurrent arrhythmias
  • Symptomatic congenital heart disease
  • Heart transplant
  • Aneurysm of aorta or major branches
  • Chronic venous insufficiency
  • Peripheral arterial disease

As with any Social Security Disability claim, filing can be challenging. Many people see their claims rejected because they do not fully understand the system or what evidence they must present. By seeking legal help, you can improve your chances of getting your claim approved the first time and avoid costly delays.