Every year on Valentine’s Day, stores are filled with heart-shaped candy and gift items. The gifts are intended to express feelings of love and care for family and friends, but they also highlight a potentially life-threatening issue. In February it is American Heart Month, a time when we raise awareness about heart disease, a condition that may qualify you for long term disability benefits.
American Heart Month Raises Awareness About Heart Disease
Throughout February, American Heart Month aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is a leading cause of disability and accounts for one out of every four deaths each year.
Genetic factors can increase your likelihood of developing heart disease. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, being overweight, following an unhealthy diet, leading a sedentary lifestyle, or experiencing high levels of stress can further elevate your risks. Some of the most common types of heart conditions that can lead to long term disabilities include:
- Angina: This condition causes pain that feels like tightness or squeezing in the chest, occurring when the heart muscles do not receive enough oxygen.
- Arrhythmia: This refers to irregular heartbeats, which can lead to lightheadedness and a fluttering sensation in the chest.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD): This condition affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack.
- Heart attack: This occurs when the arteries narrow and harden to the extent that they obstruct blood supply to the heart.
- Heart failure: This condition arises when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to other parts of the body.
- Stroke: A stroke happens when blood clots form and become lodged in blood vessels within the brain.
The American Heart Association encourages individuals throughout February to adopt healthy lifestyle changes and schedule regular appointments with their family doctor to monitor heart health.
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Heart Disease and Your Rights To Long Term Disability (LTD) Benefits
Heart disease can impact your ability to work or perform certain types of tasks at your job. In these cases, you may be entitled to long term disability (LTD) benefits. One of the first steps you need to take if you suffer from any type of heart disease or have risk factors is to review your LTD policies.
Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), your employer is required to provide a copy of all policy-related documents, free of charge and at your request.
Review your benefits carefully to ensure there are no exclusions in regards to heart conditions. Documenting heart disease for a claim can be challenging. To protect your rights to benefits, follow these steps:
- Make regular appointments with your doctor;
- Undergo any testing they recommend;
- Document all medications or treatments prescribed;
- Keep a journal detailing your condition and the impact it has on your daily activities.
Let Us Help You Today
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we help people with heart disease get the LTD benefits they are entitled to. Do not delay, call for a FREE consultation with our national long term disability law firm today.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form