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For many, the beginning of summer brings to mind relaxation, time with friends and family, and holiday plans. Unfortunately for people who already suffer from or have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, heart disease, heart attacks, and other disabling conditions, the summer heat poses additional risk for worsening the condition and potentially resulting in disability. That being the case, when disability keeps healthcare workers from engaging in their work in the medical field, they need to make a claim for disability insurance benefits. These benefits provide replacement income to offset lost wages due to a disabling condition, keeping the insured from working. A Philadelphia heart attack attorney can help you in your pursuit of disability insurance benefits. 

The disability insurance claim process can be daunting, especially when you are suffering from a disabling condition. The claims process involves strict deadlines with respect to filing and responding with evidence of a disability that is preventing you from working. These deadlines and requests from your disability insurance company can easily sneak up on you and prevent you from receiving the disability insurance benefits you deserve if you do not respond within their established timeline. This is why it is imperative to work with a disability insurance attorney on your claim for disability insurance. You do not want to lose out on these benefits that can provide you financial security while you are unable to continue your medical career. Seltzer & Associates is available to help you with your claim for disability insurance benefits.

Heat Stroke Symptoms and Complications 

Cardiovascular disease can put someone at increased risk for heat stroke, and likewise, heat stroke can worsen cardiovascular disease. Overexertion is a risk factor for heat stroke, and an existing disabling heart condition can add to the likelihood of overexertion and heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a serious condition caused by the body overheating. Due to high temperatures and heat waves, the summer season is a time to take extra precautions to stay cool and avoid worsening heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Some of the symptoms of heat stroke include: 

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Nausea and vomiting  
• Racing heart rate
• Rapid breathing 
• Altered behavior

If you experience heat stroke, time is of the essence for getting medical treatment. Your body can be overheating to critical levels which could result in death. Additionally, heat stroke can cause severe organ damage and damage to the entire cardiovascular system.

Summer Heat Risk Factors for a Heart Attack

High temperatures in the summer increase the risk of heart attacks due to the increased strain that heat puts on the body and the cardiovascular system in particular. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are serious and can result in a heart attack or heart failure. Cardiovascular disease contributes to about one-fourth of heat-related deaths each year. Those with cardiovascular disease need to take extra precautions to protect themselves from the summer heat and elements. 

When your body is not able to pump blood properly, such as when the heat causes the heart to pump blood much more quickly (up to four times as fast as normal), you are at risk for a cardiac episode. Even your medications for treating cardiovascular disease can increase your risk for heart attack in extremely warm conditions. For example, a water pill could lead to dehydration. Note that certain medications will not allow blood flow to aid in cooling your body down. The extra strain on your body due to heat can lead to a heart attack as well as heat stroke. During high temperatures or heat advisories, you need to use caution to protect yourself from overheating. Be aware of how your medications may affect you in the heat, and ask your treating physician for any recommendations they have to keep you safe.

If your treating physician recommends you lessen your workload to avoid overexertion, heart attack, heat stroke, and the like due to your current conditions, you may be eligible for residual disability insurance benefits. This benefit allows an insured to work in a partial capacity while addressing their disabling condition. Your eligibility for this type of disability insurance will depend on your policy, what work you are able to do, and what you are limited from doing due to your disability. Your long-term disability attorney can review the applicable provisions of your disability insurance policy and advise you on proceeding with your claim.

Summer Schedules Disrupt Treatment for Disabling Conditions

While your treating physician is invested in your ongoing care for your disabling cardiovascular condition, summer can present some scheduling challenges. Doctors and medical support staff have their own personal matters outside of work, and summer often brings disruptions. For example, summer vacations can leave a medical center short-staffed in any number of positions: the laboratory, scheduling and calendar teams, billing and account management, and personnel on the medical team who are directly providing treatment. Other scheduling disruptions could include doctors being out of the office to attend medical conferences, service outages on diagnostic machines and interruptions in restoring service, limited hours due to summer schedules that allow employees more time with family in the summer, and summer holidays. Despite these disruptions or delays in your care and treatment plan for your disabling condition, you need to keep going to your appointments as directed and reschedule promptly if your medical provider has to postpone your appointment. Not only is this essential for your well-being and monitoring your condition, but disability insurance companies check whether you continue to receive appropriate care for your disabling condition as part of the evaluation of your claim. If for some reason your disability insurance company terminates your disability insurance, an experienced Philadelphia long-term disability lawyer can help you appeal the decision.

Schedule a Free Consultation 

If you are disabled from cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, stroke or other similar conditions and unable to maintain your medical career, you should contact Seltzer & Associates to discuss your claim for disability insurance benefits. Schedule your free consultation by completing our online contact form or calling us at 888-699-4222.