Is Heart Disease a Disability?
Coronary Artery Disease, or CAD, is a physical condition characterized by plaque buildup inside the coronary arteries of the heart. These vital arteries are responsible for supplying the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood.
Also referred to as Coronary Heart Disease, CAD is the most common type of heart condition in Canada, and is the leading cause of deaths for men and women around the globe. This is because people with CAD don’t realize they’re in the advanced stages of the disease, as CAD symptoms are minimal. Many people have CAD for years before they’re aware of the condition, and when they realize they have the disease, it’s usually in the form of a sudden heart attack.
There are numerous independent risk factors of CAD, which include:
• Smoking
• Hypertension
• Hyperglycemia
• Hypercholesterolemia
CAD has a number of indirect risk factors to be aware of well, the most common being:
• Lack of exercise
• Consumption of alcohol
• Stress
• Diet rich in saturated fats
• Diet low in antioxidants
• Obesity
Treatment for coronary artery disease is critical, considering the consequences of the condition can be fatal. Medications (ie. beta-blockers), coronary intervention (angioplasty), and coronary artery bypass grafting are three of the most common forms of treatment.
Heart Disease and Disability Benefits
Due to the fatal nature of CAD, and the emotional and financial burdens that come with the appropriate treatments, the disease may qualify for disability tax benefits from the Canadian government.
Like many differently-abled Canadians, who are eligible for Disability Tax Credits or savings plans through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), some people who live with heart disease don’t bother claiming the benefits they’re entitled to. They may be unaware their condition qualifies for benefits, or they simply can’t be bothered going through the tedious Disability Tax Credit application process.
How Can the NBA Help Me?
The National Benefit Authority is Canada’s largest disability tax service provider, having assisted 40,000 Canadians in successfully claiming disability tax refunds. Our in-house team of experts can help determine your Disability Tax Credit eligibility and assist with completing the Canadian Disability Tax Credit application (Form T2201).
We believe that you and your family have enough to deal with, on top of the paperwork and research required for the Disability Tax Credit. We can guide you through every step towards recovering your coronary artery disease disability, helping you maintain your standard of living and quality of life.
