If You Need Help with your Social Security Disability Claim
Call a Disability Lawyer Now!
1-800-641-3759





Social Security Disability Free Evaluation Tool







Posts Tagged ‘heart disease’

Ludwig’s Angina and Receiving Social Security Disability

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Ludwig’s angina is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection of the tissues of the floor of your mouth. It usually occurs in adults with adjacent dental infections.

Ludwig’s angina is also known as angina ludovici. This infection is named after the German physician, Wilhelm Frederick von Ludwig who first described this condition in 1836.

Ludwig’s angina should not be confused with angina pectoris that is commonly referred to as “angina”. “Angina” is a word that comes from the Greek word ankhon, meaning, “strangling”.

Ludwig’s angina refers to the feeling of strangling, not the feeling of chest pain. However, it is possible for chest pain to occur in Ludwig’s angina if the infection spreads into your retrosternal space.

Ludwig’s angina is usually caused by a bacterial infection, like streptococci or staphylococci. There are also other bacteria that can cause this infection.

Ludwig’s angina seems to occur more frequently in people with a condition of lowered immunity, but it can take place in healthy individuals also. With the coming of antibiotics, Ludwig’s angina has become a rare disease.

There are several ways that you may be affected by Ludwig’s angina. Some of these are:

  • Pain, swelling and raising of your tongue
  • Swelling of the tissues of your submandibular and sublingual spaces
  • Swelling of your neck
  • Malaise (general feeling of sickness or weakness)
  • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  • Fever
  • In severe cases, difficulty in breathing.

Important effects to look for with Ludwig’s angina include when you are not being able to swallow your own saliva and the presence of audible difficulty in breathing.

Ludwig’s angina is not normally a condition that will disable you and cause you to be unable to work. However, if you have other conditions along with Ludwig’s angina or you have complications that have resulted from it; you may be disabled.

If this is the case for you or a loved one, you may need help. You may need financial help.

Who will be able to give you the financial assistance that you or your loved one needs? Where will that help come from?

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by complications along with or resulting from Ludwig’s angina? Were you or your loved one denied?

You or your loved one may be thinking about appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, here is something to remember. People who are represented by a disability attorney are approved more often than those people without a lawyer.

This is something that could affect you or your loved one for the rest of your life. Do not delay. Contact us today so we can help you find a disability lawyer near you.

Coronary Artery Disease and Receiving Social Security Disability

Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Sternocostal surface of heart. (Right coronary...
Image via Wikipedia

The coronary arteries supply your heart with oxygen, blood and nutrients. When blood flow through these arteries becomes hindered through disease or damage, the disease is called coronary artery disease.

This obstruction happens when there is a gradual buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) inside of your coronary arteries (atherosclerosis). These deposits slowly narrow your coronary arteries, causing your heart to receive less blood.

Coronary Artery disease develops very slowly. Often times, it takes decades for this disease to develop. Because of this, coronary artery disease may go unnoticed until it produces a heart attack.

At first, as these fatty deposits are building up inside of your coronary arteries, you may not have any effects from coronary artery disease. As the disease progresses, however, you may be affected by things that include:

  • Shortness of breath – You may experience total fatigue with exertion and swelling in your ankles and feet.
  • Chest pain – You may experience tightness or pressure in your chest like someone is standing on your chest.
  • Heart attack – You may have pain in your arm or shoulder, crushing pain in your chest and shortness of breath, which are all classic symptoms of a heart attack.

The effects produced by coronary artery disease and/or serious complications resulting from it can cause you to be incapacitated. These effects can cause you to be disabled and unable to work or hold a job.

This may describe you or a loved one’s situation. You or your loved one may be disabled and unable to work because of the disability caused by coronary artery disease and/or complications resulting from this condition.

If this is the case, you may need assistance. You or your loved one may need financial help.

Who will you turn to for the financial help that you need? Where will it come from? Who can and will help you?

Have you or your loved one thought about applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by coronary artery disease and/or complications resulting from it? Have you or your loved one already done this and been denied by the Social Security Administration?

You or your loved one may be planning on appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you decide to do this, here is something important to think about.

You or your loved one might need a disability lawyer like the one you will find at Social Security Home to represent and advise you in what can prove to be a long and exasperating process. The reason for this being true is because people who have a disability attorney on their side are approved more often than those people who do not have a lawyer.

Do not delay. Do not put this off. This could affect you or your loved one for the rest of your life.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Receiving Social Security Disability

Monday, April 5th, 2010

The center of your cardiovascular system is your heart. Your heart pumps blood through your body’s blood vessels to all of your cells. Your blood delivers oxygen that your cells have to have.

Cardiomyopathy literally means “heart muscle disease”. Cardiomyopathy is the deterioration of the function of your actual heart muscle (myocardium).  This medical condition impairs your heart’s ability to pump blood.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of this disease. It occurs when your heart’s main pumping chamber becomes dilated (enlarged), and its pumping ability becomes impaired.

Anyone at any age can be affected by dilated cardiomyopathy. This includes children and infants. However, it is most common in middle age.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is caused by the failure of your left ventricle, which is your heart’s main pumping chamber, to pump blood like a healthy heart does. What causes this to happen is not known in many cases. On the other hand, there are several things that can cause dilated cardiomyopathy. Some of these are:

  • Cocaine or alcohol abuse
  • A family history of cardiomyopathy
  • Autoimmune illnesses that affect your heart like rheumatoid arthritis
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Certain medications
  • Trace elements like arsenic, mercury or lead
  • Inherited disorders like muscular dystrophy
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure) that is not controlled
  • Infections that affect your heart muscle, such as Lyme disease or Chagas disease
  • Heart rhythm difficulties like tachycardia or atrial fibrillation.

At first, you may not experience any signs or symptoms with dilated cardiomyopathy. Eventually, when this disease causes cardiac arrhythmias or heart failure you will probably have signs and symptoms. These may include:

  • Ascites (swelling of your abdomen)
  • Nausea and lack of appetite
  • Palpitations (the sensation of fluttering, pounding or rapid heartbeats)
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Wheezing or coughing that is ongoing
  • Decrease in alertness or problems with concentration
  • Dyspnea (shortness of breath) when you are lying down or active
  • Sudden weight gain from retaining fluid
  • Edema (swelling) in your feet, ankles and legs
  • Dizziness, fainting or lightheadedness
  • A reduction in your ability to exercise
  • A failure to thrive in children
  • Nocturia (increase in urination at night).

You or a loved one may have dilated cardiomyopathy. This disease and/or complications resulting from it may be why you are disabled and in need of financial help.

You or your loved one may have applied for financial assistance from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by dilated cardiomyopathy and/or complications resulting from it. Were you denied?

If you or your loved one appeals the denial by the Social Security Administration, consider this carefully. People represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than people who are without a disability lawyer.

Arteriosclerosis, Atherosclerosis and Receiving Social Security Disability

Monday, March 29th, 2010
simplified diagram of the human Arterial syste...
Image via Wikipedia

Arteries are blood vessels that carry nutrients and oxygen from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are elastic, flexible and strong. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls of your arteries thick and stiff. Sometimes this restricts blood flow to your tissues and organs. This process is called arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

The two terms arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are often used interchangeably. Atherosclerosis, however, is a specific type of arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of an artery due specifically because of the buildup of plaque.

There is a third term that is similar in spelling, yet distinct in both spelling and meaning. Arteriolosclerosis refers to a hardening of arterioles (small arteries), while arteriosclerosis refers to a hardening of medium and large arteries.

Atherosclerosis can affect arteries in any part of your body, even though it is usually considered to be a heart problem. When it affects arteries going to your limbs you may have circulation problems in your legs and arms called peripheral arterial disease. When atherosclerosis affects arteries that supply blood to your brain, you could have a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). If the arteries of your heart are affected, you may have angina, heart attack or coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis can also cause a bulge in the wall of your artery. This is called an aneurysm.

Arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis is a gradual process. You do not usually experience any effects until your artery becomes so clogged or narrowed that it cannot supply an adequate amount of blood to your tissues and organs.

Specific ways that arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis can affect you depend on which of your arteries are affected. If it affects:

  • Arteries in your arms and legs – You may experience signs and symptoms of peripheral arterial disease like leg pain when you are walking.
  • Heart arteries – You may have symptoms of a heart attack like chest pain.
  • Arteries supplying blood to your brain – You may experience signs of a stroke, such as dizziness, numbness and weakness.

Arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis may also cause erectile dysfunction in men.

The effects caused by this condition may be keeping you or a loved one from working. Arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis may be the reason for your disability.

If this is true, you or your loved one may need help. You may need financial assistance.

Have you or your loved one applied for financial assistance from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits because of the disability caused by arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis? Were you or your loved one denied?

If you or your loved one is planning on appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration, keep this in mind. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than those people who are without a lawyer.

Mitral Valve Prolapse and Receiving Social Security Disability

Friday, February 26th, 2010
Diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse is based on...
Image via Wikipedia

Your heart is the center of your cardiovascular system. Your heart pumps blood through your body’s blood vessels to all of your cells. Your blood carries oxygen that your cells need. Heart disease refers to a group of diseases that occur when your heart and blood vessels are not working like they should.

Your mitral valve is also called the bicuspid valve or left atrioventricular valve. It is a dual-flap valve that separates the lower (ventricle) and upper (atrium) chambers of the left side of your heart. Your mitral valve has the function of controlling blood flow from your left atrium into your left ventricle.

Mitral valve prolapse happens when your mitral valve fails to close the way it should. This sometimes results in blood leaking back into your left atrium. This is a condition that is referred to as mitral valve regurgitation.

Mitral valve prolapse is referred to by other names. It is also called floppy valve syndrome, ballooning mitral valve syndrome, click-murmur syndrome and Barlow’s syndrome.

Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve abnormality. As much as 10% of the general population may have some form of this condition.

Most of the time mitral valve prolapse does not cause any problems and does not require treatment. However, when mitral valve prolapse does cause signs and symptoms, it is called mitral valve prolapse syndrome, and it can have serious, life-threatening complications.

As mentioned earlier, many people never have any signs or symptoms with mitral valve prolapse. If you do have signs and symptoms, they can vary greatly from person to person. Some of the signs and symptoms that you may experience are:

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath or having trouble breathing that often occurs when you are doing physical activity or lying down flat
  • Chest pain that is not caused by coronary artery disease or a heart attack
  • An irregular or racing heartbeat (arrhythmia)
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Cough
  • Anxiety, depression and panic attacks
  • Migraine headaches.

You or a loved one may have mitral valve prolapse. This condition and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it may be why you or your loved one cannot work. It may be the cause of you or your loved one’s disability.

Have you or your loved one applied for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by mitral valve prolapse and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it? Were you denied by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one appeals the denial by the Social Security Administration, remember this important fact. People who have a disability lawyer like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than those who are not represented by a disability attorney.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Atrial Fibrillation and Receiving Social Security Disability

Monday, February 15th, 2010
Schematic diagram of normal sinus rhythm for a...
Image via Wikipedia

Your heart is the center of your cardiovascular system. Your heart pumps blood to all of your cells through your body’s blood vessels. Your blood carries oxygen that your cells need.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common kind of abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia). Cardiac arrhythmia refers to a group of conditions where your heart is beating in an irregular way.

Atrial fibrillation is when your heart’s atria, the two small upper chambers, quiver instead of beating effectively. The result is that your blood is not completely pumped out of these two chambers. This can cause your blood to pool and clot. A stroke can happen if a piece of a blood clot leaves your heart and lodges in an artery in your brain.

About 2.2 million people or around 1% of the population in the United States have atrial fibrillation. About 15% of strokes happen in people with atrial fibrillation.

Your risk of having atrial fibrillation increases with age. Anywhere from 3 to 5% of people over age 65 have this condition.

There are risk factors that may increase your likelihood of having atrial fibrillation. These include drinking alcohol, heart disease, advancing age, family history, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions.

The signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation vary from one person to another. Some people do not have any signs or symptoms. If you do have signs and symptoms, you may experience:

  • An irregular fluttering sensation in your chest
  • You may faint or become light-headed
  • Palpitations (A sensation of an irregular or rapid heartbeat)
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath during any type of exertion
  • Weakness
  • Lack of energy
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Low blood pressure.

Atrial fibrillation can be chronic or occasional. Chronic atrial fibrillation is an ongoing problem that lasts until it is treated. Occasional atrial fibrillation comes and goes. It may last from minutes to hours and stop on its own.

You or a loved one may have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. This condition and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with it may be why you or your loved one is disabled. It may be why you need financial assistance.

Do you or your loved one intend to apply for the financial help that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by atrial fibrillation and/or complications resulting from or other conditions along with this disorder? Have you or your loved one already done this and been denied by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one is thinking about appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration, think carefully about this. People who have a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than those who are not represented by a disability lawyer.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Aortic Valve Regurgitation and Receiving Social Security Disability

Friday, February 12th, 2010

The principle artery that leaves your heart is the aorta. Blood leaves your heart by going from you left ventricle (lower chamber) through your aortic valve into your aorta. Aortic valve regurgitation is a disease in which your aortic valve does not close as tightly as it should. This results in some of the blood leaking back into your heart’s left ventricle that was just pumped out of it.

Because of aortic valve regurgitation, your heart may not be able to efficiently pump out blood to the rest of your body. This can result in you feeling breathless and tired.

Aortic valve regurgitation is also known by other names. It is also referred to as aortic regurgitation and aortic insufficiency or aortic incompetence.

Aortic valve regurgitation can come on suddenly. If it does, it requires immediate medical attention. When it does, it is referred to as acute aortic valve regurgitation.

There are several things that may cause chronic aortic valve regurgitation. These include:

  • Rheumatic fever
  • Infective endocarditis (infection in your heart)
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Advancing Age
  • Dilation of your aortic root (enlarged aorta)
  • Treatment for cancer using radiation
  • Use of the diet medicine fen-phen.

Other things can cause acute aortic valve regurgitation. These include:

  • Difficulties associated with aortic valve replacement
  • Dissection of the aorta
  • Trauma to your chest
  • An infection of the heart called endocarditis.

Most of the time, however, this disease develops gradually causing no signs or symptoms. You may not even realize that you have this condition. Signs and symptoms will usually begin as the disease progresses. Some of the signs and symptoms that you may have are:

  • Irregular or rapid pulse rate
  • Chest discomfort, tightness or pain (angina) that usually increases during exercise
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue and weakness that worsens when your activity level increases or you exercise
  • Swollen feet and ankles
  • Shortness of breath when you lie flat or exert yourself
  • Problems with breathing at night
  • Palpitations (feelings of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat)
  • Lightheadedness and dizziness
  • Pulsations in your neck.

You or a loved one may be suffering from aortic valve regurgitation. This disease and/or complications arising from or along with it may be why you are disabled and not able to work. It may be why you or your loved one needs financial help.

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by aortic valve regurgitation and/or complications resulting from or along with it? Were you or your loved one denied?

If you decide to appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration, think about this. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than people who are without representation.

Please do not wait. Contact the disability attorney at socialsecurityhome.com, today.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Angina and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Surface anatomy of the heart. The heart is dem...
Image via Wikipedia

Angina relates to a painful tightness or constriction somewhere in your body. Even though angina is usually spoken of in connection with the heart, it can refer to other parts of your body, also.

In fact, there are several types of angina. Some of these are:

  • Ludwig’s angina – This is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection of the tissues of the floor of your mouth.
  • Prinzmetal’s angina – It is a syndrome that generally consists of cardiac chest pain while a person is at rest. This takes place in cycles.
  • Vincent’s angina – This is also referred to as trench mouth. It is an infection of your gums that leads to bleeding, deep ulceration, inflammation and necrotic gum tissue.
  • Angina tonsillaris – This disorder is an inflammation of your tonsils.
  • Abdominal angina – It involves postprandial abdominal pain that occurs in you when you have insufficient blood flow to meet your visceral demands.
  • Angina pectoris – This is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease.

Even though angina is not a disease, but rather a sign or symptom of a condition, angina may have several affects on you. Some of these are:

  • Tightening
  • Heaviness
  • Pressure
  • Squeezing or aching across your chest, especially behind your breastbone
  • Pain that radiates to your back, arms, neck, jaw or even your teeth
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea
  • Weakness
  • Sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cramping.

These effects produced by angina may reach a point where you are disabled and unable to work. If this is where you or a loved one is at, again, it is important to remember that angina is not the cause of your disability.

Whatever the underlying condition is that is causing your angina is the real cause of your disability. Angina is probably the main sign or symptom that you or your loved one is experiencing.

If this is true, you or your loved one may need help. You may need financial assistance.

Have you or your loved one thought about applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability that is characterized primarily by angina. Have you already done this and been denied by the Social Security Administration?

You may be wondering what to do next? Do you have any recourse? What options are open to you?

One step that you or your loved one can take is to appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you decide to do this, here is something to think about.

You or your loved one is going to need a disability lawyer like the one at socialsecurityhome.com to represent you in this process. This is true because people who have a disability attorney are approved more often than those people without a lawyer.

Do not wait. Contact the qualified disability attorney at socialsecurityhome.com, today.

Aortic Valve Stenosis and Receiving Social Security Disability

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
List of images in Gray's Anatomy: V.
Image via Wikipedia

The aorta is the principle artery that leaves your heart. As blood leaves your heart, it goes from you left ventricle (lower chamber) through your aortic valve into your aorta. When you have aortic valve stenosis, or aortic stenosis as it is also called, your aortic valve narrows and does not open completely like it should. This inhibits blood flow from your heart into your aorta and the rest of your body.

When aortic valve stenosis develops, your heart has to work harder to get blood to the rest of your body. In time, this makes your heart weaker. It restricts the amount of blood that your heart can pump. This causes problems like dizziness and fatigue.

Fortunately, aortic valve stenosis is a rare occurrence. Men get this disease four times more often than women. Aortic valve stenosis makes up about 7% of all congenital heart disease.

There are three main causes of aortic valve stenosis. This disease can result from a complication of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever may cause scar tissue to form on your aortic valve, which can cause it to narrow. The second cause is congenital heart defect. Some babies are born with an aortic valve that is already narrowed, although this is rare. The third principle cause of aortic valve stenosis is calcium buildup on your aortic valve. Deposits of calcium may build up on your aortic valve with advancing age. For many people, these deposits of calcium do not cause any problems. For others, a stiffening of the leaflets of the aortic valve occurs that narrows it.

Aortic valve stenosis can range anywhere from mild to severe. If you have mild aortic valve stenosis, you may not have any signs or symptoms. If the disease is severe, you may experience:

  • Fatigue that occurs more frequently during times of exercise or activity
  • Heart palpitations (feelings of a fluttering, rapid heartbeat)
  • Chest tightness or pain (angina)
  • Heart murmur
  • Shortness of breath that occurs more frequently with exercise or exertion
  • Weakness, dizziness or fainting with activity or exercise.

You or a loved one may have aortic valve stenosis. This disease and/or complications arising from or along with it may be why you are disabled. It may be the reason why you are unable to work.

You may need help if this is true. You may need financial assistance.

Do you or your loved one plan on applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by aortic valve stenosis and/or complications resulting from or along with it? Were you or your loved one denied?

If you are going to appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration, always remember this. People who are represented by a disability lawyer like the one at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than those who are without representation.

Please do not hesitate. Contact the disability attorney at socialsecurityhome.com, today.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits When Suffering With Asbestosis

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Asbestos is a natural mineral product. The fact that it shows great resistance to corrosion and heat has made it extremely valuable in manufacturing. In the past, it was widely used in products like cement, fire-retardant materials, insulation and some vinyl floor tiles.

In the middle of the 70s, the United States government began to regulate the use of asbestos and asbestos products. The handling of asbestos is strictly regulated, today.

Before this government regulation many people who, in their work, had long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos developed a breathing disorder called asbestosis. It is regarded as an occupational lung disease. This condition affects the parenchymal tissue of your lungs. Asbestosis is characterized by scarring of your lung tissue and shortness of breath.

Asbestosis is also called other things. It is also referred to as pulmonary fibrosis – from asbestos exposure and interstitial pneumonitis – from asbestos exposure.

The effects of asbestosis do not usually show up until 5-10 years after the exposure to asbestos. However, there have been documented cases within 1-3 months of exposure to asbestos.

The signs and symptoms that you may experience can range anywhere from mild to severe. Some of these are:

  • Tightness in your chest
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath with exertion, but later even while resting
  • Decrease in tolerance for doing physical activity
  • Nail abnormalities
  • Clubbing of your fingers.

Most of the effects caused by asbestosis are like those of other breathing disorders, such as asthma. However, the way they develop is much different. The indications of asbestosis come over a period of months and years.

There can be serious complications with asbestosis. Some of the things this disease can result in are:

  • Heart problems
  • Lung cancer
  • Other cancers
  • Other lung damage
  • High blood pressure in your lungs.

Asbestosis and/or complications resulting from this disorder may be the reason why you or a loved one is unable to work. It may be the cause of your disability.

You or your loved one may need assistance. You may need financial help.

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by asbestosis and/or complications resulting from it? Were you or your loved one denied?

You or your loved one may be thinking about appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, you need to be aware of this.

You or your loved one will need a disability lawyer like the one at socialsecurityhome.com to help you in this process. The reason for this is because people who are represented by a disability attorney are approved more often than those people who do not have a lawyer.

Do not put this off. This is something that could affect you or your loved one for the rest of your life. Contact the disability attorney at socialsecurityhome.com, today.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]