What is Congestive Heart Failure?
Heart failure means that the heart is pumping weaker than usual and it is not pumping enough oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. This can cause the kidney to retain fluid and salt, which can lead to a buildup of fluid in the body. This can be caused by damage to the heart muscle, including a heart attack and the heart being overworked. A heart attack damages the heart muscle, whereas things like high blood pressure cause the heart to overwork.
Types of Congestive Heart Failure
The two types of heart failures are systolic and diastolic. Systolic means that the heart muscles doesn’t contract with enough force required to pump oxygen throughout the body. Diastolic means that the heart contracts normally, however the ventricles don’t relax properly causing less blood to enter the heart.
Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure
Symptoms include congested lungs, fluid retention, vary from mild to severe, dizziness and weakness, and rapid or irregular heartbeats. Lung congestion includes fluid backup in the lungs causing a shortness of breath making it difficult to breath. Fluid retention causes swelling in the ankles, legs, abdomen, and weight gain. Dizziness and fatigue is caused when there is less blood reaching the major organs. When the heart beats faster is leads to an irregular heartbeat.
Tests & Treatments for Congestive Heart Failure
To be treated you need a thorough physical examination which involves the doctor listening to your heart and looking for signs of heart failure. Other tests include blood tests, BNP blood test, chest x-ray, and an EKG test measuring the electrical impulses travelling through the heart. There are also medications available as well as lifestyle choices to improve heart failure. It is important to keep your blood pressure low so that your heart pumps more effectively. Monitor your weight to notice any unexplained weight gains which may be caused by fluid retention. Limit your sodium intake to avoid water retention, and take the necessary medication to improve your heart’s ability to pump blood.
Eligibility Criteria for Disability Tax Credit for Congestive Heart Failure
To be eligible, you must have had your disability for at least 12 months. It must be considered as severe affecting you the majority of the time and interfering with your daily activities. In this case, a patient must be struggling either all or substantially all of the time with the daily functions required for everyday life. For example, if you have severe shortness of breath you may not be able to walk one city block or do so taking many breaks due to shortness of breath.
Click Here To Check Your Eligibility for Disability Tax Credit for Congestive Heart Failure
How to Apply for Disability Tax Credit for Congestive Heart Failure?
To apply for this tax credit Form 2201 entitled “Disability Tax Credit Certificate” must be completed by a registered medical practitioner. This tax credit is only available to those who have taxes payable.