SSA Disability Guide — Common Conditions
Common conditions / Heart disease
Can You Get Disability for Heart Disease?
Yes, heart disease may qualify when medical evidence shows that its effects prevent substantial work for the required duration. SSA evaluates the specific cardiovascular condition and its functional impact, not the diagnosis alone.
SSA does not grant disability based on a diagnosis alone. It evaluates medical evidence, duration, and the effect of supported limitations on work.
How SSA evaluates heart disease
The current adult cardiovascular listings include 4.02 for chronic heart failure, 4.04 for ischemic heart disease, and 4.05 for recurrent arrhythmias. Listing 4.03 is reserved, so these are not a continuous range of listings from 4.02 through 4.04 for every heart condition.
Each listing has specific criteria and evidence requirements. SSA may consider clinical findings, test results, treatment records, the frequency of episodes, and the resulting limits. If the applicable listing is not met or medically equaled, SSA assesses the work activities that remain possible.
Current SSA cardiovascular listingsMyHearingJudge cardiovascular listing guide
What evidence SSA may consider
The record may include cardiology notes, hospital records, examination findings, diagnostic testing, and information about episodes or symptoms and how they affect functioning. SSA considers evidence over time and the clinical context; a single test result or diagnosis does not decide the claim by itself.
How heart disease can affect RFC
Depending on the record, cardiovascular limits may affect exertion, lifting, walking, climbing, stamina, attendance, or the ability to sustain activity through a normal workday. SSA determines RFC from all supported limitations and does not assign a work level based on the condition name alone.
How the Grid Rules may apply
If heart disease primarily limits physical exertion, SSA may compare the RFC with the sedentary, light, or other exertional categories and consider age, education, and past work. Nonexertional limits or other vocational facts can change how the grids apply, so no single age or diagnosis guarantees a result.
Documenting a heart-disease claim
- Identify the providers and facilities that hold relevant records, including hospital or specialist records.
- Describe how documented symptoms or episodes affect routine activities, exertion, stamina, and schedule reliability.
- Ask providers to explain functional restrictions and the clinical findings that support them.
- Keep the claim focused on evidence and work-related limits; this guide does not recommend or change medical care.
Official SSA sources
Related resources
This guide explains Social Security’s disability evaluation; it is not medical advice or a treatment plan. Do not start, stop, or change treatment based on this page. A qualified clinician can answer medical-care questions, and SSA decides each claim from its full record.