Heart Failure SSDI Checklist: Tests and Records You'll Need

Reviewed by Gretchen Johnson, J.D., LL.M.

Heart failure claims run on numbers. Here's what to gather.

Which tests matter?

• An echocardiogram with your ejection fraction
• Stress test results, or a note on why it's unsafe for you
• Chest X-rays
• ER and hospital records
• Cardiologist notes with your NYHA class

What else helps?

• Your medicine list and side effects
• A log of breathlessness and swelling
• Your doctor's view on walking, standing and lifting

Is a stress test too risky for you?

Ask your doctor to write that down. Social Security won't order a test that's unsafe.