Mortgage Protection booklet - Irish Life

31. Primary Pulmonary Hypertension – of
specified severity
Plan definition:
A definite diagnosis of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension by a Consultant
Cardiologist. There must be clinical impairment of heart function
resulting in the permanent loss of ability to perform physical activities
to at least Class 3 of the New York Heart Association classifications of
functional capacity*.
For the above definition, the following are not covered:
• Pulmonary hypertension secondary to any other known cause ie not
primary.
*NYHA Class 3. Heart disease resulting in marked limitation of physical
activities where less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation,
breathlessness or chest pain.
In simpler terms:
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is a disease which occurs when blood
pressure in the pulmonary artery or the major blood vessel connecting
the right heart ventricle and the lungs is higher than normal. There is no
apparent cause. A higher pulmonary artery blood pressure means the
heart has to work harder to pump sufficient blood into the lungs. Over
time, the heart muscles weaken.
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You can claim if you suffer from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension which
is diagnosed by a Consultant Cardiologist. To qualify for payment your
physical ability must be measurable and limited to a specific degree (New
York Heart Association Class 3). The NYHA Function Classification is a
measure used to classify the extent of heart failure.
32. Progressive supranuclear palsy – resulting
in permanent symptoms
Plan definition:
A definite diagnosis by a Consultant Neurologist of Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy. There must be permanent clinical impairment of
eye movement and motor function, rigidity of movement and postural
instability.
In simpler terms:
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), also known as Steele-Richardson-
Olzewski syndrome, is a degenerative disease that gradually destroys
nerve cells in the parts of the brain that control eye movements,
breathing and muscle co-ordination. The loss of nerve cells causes palsy
or paralysis that slowly gets worse as the disease progresses.
The definition literally means:
• progressive - it gradually gets worse over time.
• supranuclear - the area of the brain stem which controls the eye
movements.