ALBERTA PERMANENT CLINICAL IMPAIRMENT GUIDE - Workers ...

THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMTHE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMI. IntroductionA. For purposes of rating permanent clinical impairment, cardiovasculardisorders are considered as either cardiac or vascular in nature. However,disorders of the coronary vessels are included as cardiac disorders.II.Rating ProcedureA. For rating purposes, cardiac disorders are divided into four function-basedClasses. The characteristics of each Class are:1. Class I 0 - 9%Cardiac disease has been diagnosed, but there is no resultinglimitation of physical activity. Prolonged exertion, emotional stress,climbing or recreational activities do not produce undue fatigue,palpitations, dyspnea, angina or signs of congestive heart failure.There is no lost work time attributable to the condition.2. Class II 10 - 29%a) Cardiac disease is causing slight limitation of physical activity.The ordinary activities of daily living are accomplished withoutsigns or symptoms, but heavy physical exertion results infatigue, palpitation or angina; orb) medical treatment prevents angina and the signs and symptomsof congestive heart failure; orc) the worker is able to obtain a heart rate of 85% of predictedmaximum on a tread mill or exercise ergometer withoutdeveloping significant ST segment changes, ventriculartachycardia or hypotension; ord) recovery from coronary artery surgery has occurred and theclaimant remains asymptomatic during ordinary activities ofdaily living and is able to exercise as outlined in c); orPage 51COPYRIGHT 2006 All Rights Reserved October 1, 2006