COPD refers to a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make breathing difficult.  Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that make up COPD. Emphysema occurs when the air sacs at the end of the smallest air passages in the lungs are gradually [...]

Asthma is a disease that inflames and narrows the airways of your lungs.  Asthma causes different types of symptoms that can worsen at any time, making breathing difficult.  Wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing are common.  In order to make a proper diagnosis of [...]

Coronary artery disease develops when your coronary arteries become damaged or diseased.  Coronary arteries are major blood vessels that give your heart blood and oxygen.  Cholesterol containing deposits (plaque) on your arteries are usually to blame for coronary artery disease.  When plaque builds up, this narrows [...]

Congestive heart failure occurs when your heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should.   This condition can cause congestion in the circulatory system, particularly in the lungs, liver, and lower portion of the legs, where the blood pools.  Swelling in the ankles [...]

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. Many people have heart arrhythmias, however, very people are able to obtain disability benefits based on this medical condition.  Sometimes heart arrhythmias are one of the symptoms of coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction.  Therefore, the source of [...]

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is where the veins cannot pump enough oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.  More precisely, CVI means the venous valves in the legs responsible for blood return back to the heart from the legs is defective - venous valves prevent reverse [...]