High Blood Pressure & Hypertension Disability Claim Attorneys

High blood pressure, which is also known as Hypertension or HBP, is the condition where the force of blood flowing through blood vessels is consistently higher than normal. High blood pressure is frequently referred to as the “silent killer” because many people who have high blood pressure are not aware that they have this condition.

What is High Blood Pressure (HBP)?

Without diagnosis and treatment, high blood pressure increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The heart works to pump blood throughout the body, every minute of the day. When very small arteries, called arterioles, tighten or constrict, it’s much harder for the heart to push blood through. The heart works harder and the pressure inside the tiny arteries grows. That pressure can cause the arterial walls to thicken, which makes the condition worse. HBP can damage the kidneys if their blood supply is affected, and can cause damage to the capillaries in the eyes, putting vision at risk.

About a third of Americans have high blood pressure, and the Texas Heart Organization expects those numbers to increase by about 8 percent between now and 2030 as our nation ages.

High blood pressure is a troublesome disability for many reasons. It may be triggered by stress, so those in high-pressure, high-income occupations are more likely to develop high blood pressure. It is also triggered by anger, hostility, and certain personality traits.

Another challenge for high blood pressure disability claims: while there are some people who can make the lifestyle changes needed to bring their high blood pressure down to a healthier level, there are others who can make all the changes necessary and still have high blood pressure. Medication may be helpful, but it may not be enough to prevent them from suffering the short- and long-term consequences of high blood pressure. High blood pressure can also be caused by other conditions, often kidney disorders or problems with the parathyroid or other glands in the body.

What Should a Person with High Blood Pressure Do if They Can No Longer Work?

You may need to start by filing a short-term disability claim with your employer. If that is not approved, then you’ll want help from an experienced disability insurance law firm. To do so effectively, you will need the support from your doctor as to why you cannot work. If your long-term disability insurance policy does not require filing for short-term benefits first, then you will need to apply for long-term benefits directly.

The disability insurance company will likely try to deny your high blood pressure claim. The nature of your condition makes it a challenge. Proving the impairment with high blood pressure claims brings challenges, as proof of your condition is NOT proof of your disability from the condition.

Filing a Disability Claim for High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

First, you will be required to provide a lot of medical evidence. The insurance company may require reports from any time your blood pressure was measured. If you have HBP, chances are it has been measured many times by your physician and your healthcare team. You’ll need to prepare your treating physician’s office for the requests from the insurance company that are about to begin. They are a key part of your claim. The insurance company will also want to see any and all treatments for high blood pressure. That will include any prescriptions, recommendations for changes in lifestyle habits and any other treating doctors. Some example include:

• If your high blood pressure has resulted from kidney disease, they will want to see everything from your urologist or nephrologist.
• If your high blood pressure has caused any cardiovascular disease, the insurance company will need to see any and all records from your cardiologist.
• If you have gone to the ophthalmologist for problems with your eyesight that have been connected to high blood pressure, those records will be needed as well.

At its core, however, is the manner in which the doctor can and will provide supporting information, more than just the conclusion that you are disabled.

The Law Office of Justin Frankel represents many individuals with high blood pressure disability claims. We know the tactics that the disability insurance companies use to delay and deny claims for this condition. We can help you by working with your doctor to support the claim, or in fighting back on your behalf for a claim that has been denied, delayed, or if benefits have been terminated completely. We encourage you to call our office today and speak with us about your high blood pressure disability. Whether you have not yet filed a claim or if your claim has been denied, we can help. Call disability insurance attorney Justin Frankel for a free consultation at 888-583-4959 or click here to send an email.