If you are identified with peripheral artery disease and you can no longer perform your duties and responsibilities, you can be qualified to receive disability benefits.(1) You should also be receiving medical care from your healthcare provider.(2)
Good blood circulation is crucial for better health and the proper functioning of your organs. There are a few ways with which you can improve the blood circulation while sitting.(3)(4)
Patients with peripheral artery disease suffer from blocked arteries and experience problems with walking, climbing stairs, and perform day-to-day activities. PAD usually affects the arteries in the legs however in chronic cases it can also impact the arteries that transport blood to the head, heart, kidney, and stomach. The condition is typically identified through the ankle-brachial index or angiography anatomy.
Disability insurance is intended to reinstate a percentage of the income when you have a disability and loses your ability to earn a regular income. Disability can be due to a multitude of reasons such as physical disability, mental disability, or injury.
Is Peripheral Artery Disease A Disability?
If you are identified with peripheral artery disease and you can no longer perform your duties and responsibilities, you can be qualified to receive disability benefits. PAD occurs as a result of the narrowing of arteries, this reduced blood flow can cause stress on your muscles and tissue that require substantial oxygen to perform properly.
When muscles don’t get proper oxygen, it can trigger pain in the legs particularly calf muscles, buttocks, and limbs. The pain can vary from mild to excruciating however your pain will improve after suitable rest. Most symptoms of peripheral artery disease improve with supervised exercises and proper medication. However, some symptoms denote warning signs of life-threatening conditions such as heart attack, stroke, amputation of limbs, and death. These cases may require immediate medical attention.1
Cost For Treating Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease can sometimes be deadly and serious, and an average individual will require $2000 to $25000 to treat this condition during their lifetime. In certain cases, the patients may need amputation which can result in higher medical bills. Although a portion of their medical expenses is covered by insurance, still the patient must bear most of the course.
However, PAD qualifies for disability benefits under the Social Security Administration. A disease can qualify for disability if certain criteria are met such as resting ankle-brachial systolic blood pressure ratio of less than .50 or a decrease in systolic blood pressure at the ankle or big toe has to be affected.
You can still qualify for benefits if your condition is preventing you from working and should be receiving medical care by your healthcare provider.2
How Can I Improve Circulation In My Legs While Sitting?
Despite your level of activity, there are ways to improve circulation in your legs. The muscles that surround the veins stimulate the blood flow and enhance the circulation of the blood to various parts of the body. Good blood circulation is crucial for better health and the proper functioning of your organs. There are a few ways with which you can improve the blood circulation while sitting:
Leg Circulation Exercise- The best way to improve circulation is through leg circulation exercise. This not only strengthens your muscles instead tighten your quadriceps. Ankle pumps work well for calf muscle in contracting and releasing.
Elevate Your Legs- There are plenty of benefits in keeping your legs in an elevated position. Legs in the elevated position can increase the blood circulation and relieve you from pain especially when you experience heaviness in your legs and calf muscle. You can do this with a leg elevation pillow when you work on your laptop or watch television.
Turn Your Ankles- Studies show ankle exercises can improve circulation besides strengthening the quadriceps. You can turn your ankle in circles when you are sitting relaxed in the chair and even when you travel as a passenger.3,4
However, perform any type of exercise under your doctor’s advisory.
- “Disability Benefits Help.” Benefits For Peripheral Artery Disease, www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease-and-social-security-disability.
- “Helping Vascular Disease Patients Apply for Disability Benefits.” Vascular Disease Management, 11 Sept. 2013, www.vasculardiseasemanagement.com/content/helping-vascular-disease-patients-apply-disability-benefits.
- Vayuvegula, Satish, et al. “6 Ways to Improve Poor Blood Circulation in Your Legs.” Vein Clinics of America, 11 Mar. 2020, www.veinclinics.com/blog/tips-to-improve-blood-circulation-in-legs/.
- “Leg Circulation Exercises While Sitting.” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, www.livestrong.com/article/536991-leg-circulation-exercises-while-sitting/.
Also Read:
- Peripheral Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Do’s & Don’ts
- What is Peripheral Artery Disease: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis
- Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease: Medications, Surgery, Exercise Program
- Recovery Period of Peripheral Artery Disease & its Prognosis|Diet, Exercise, Yoga for Peripheral Artery Disease
