The Real Costs of Heart Disease

81 million adult Americans suffer from cardiovascular disease.  According to the 2013 National Vital Statistics Reports, heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the US.  In fact, nearly a quarter of all deaths in this country are related to complications from heart disease.  Additionally, the effects of heart disease can be debilitating, and include uncontrolled blood pressure, coronary blockages, angina, myocardial infarctions (heart attack) and strokes. The majority of people with this disease are under the age of 60.

The best way to deal with the threat of heart disease is prevention.  Eating healthy, exercising, not smoking and getting preventative screenings are all important steps toward reducing your risk of heart disease.  But for those who already have the disease, or the 1.3 million Americans with congenital heart disease, this may not be enough.    The costs associated with treatment of cardiovascular disease can be astronomical, especially in severe cases where emergency bypass or heart transplant surgeries can be necessary. 

It’s for this reason that the Social Security Administration allows social security disability benefits to those suffering from heart disease.  In 2009 (the most recent year for which statistics are available) nearly 800,000 Americans received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits associated with cardiovascular disease.  This makes heart disease the fourth highest source of social security claims in the country. 

If you or someone you love is suffering from the symptoms of heart disease and having trouble navigating the waters of Social Security Disability, hiring an attorney experienced in social security matters can help.  The attorney will deal with the Social Security Administration on your behalf and work to get you the benefits owed to you.  This way you can focus on treating your disease without the added stress that comes with trying to handle the claim yourself.  You deserve to receive the benefits you’ve earned.

Articles contained here are not intended to provide legal advice, only providing general information. We encourage individuals to consult with an attorney regarding individual circumstances.