On July 2, 2026, the Social Security Administration (SSA) published a major revision to its cardiovascular Listings of Impairments. The new rules become effective October 30, 2026.

Among the most significant changes are three new adult cardiovascular listings:

• Listing 4.07 – Aortic Valvular Disease

• Listing 4.08 – Cardiomyopathy

• Listing 4.16 – Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

These changes matter because the Social Security disability listings provide one of the most direct ways for a claimant with a severe medical condition to establish disability.

What Is a Social Security Disability “Listing”?

Social Security uses a five-step process to determine whether an adult is disabled.

At Step Three, SSA considers whether the claimant's medical condition meets or medically equals one of the conditions contained in its Listing of Impairments.

The listings describe medical conditions that SSA considers severe enough to prevent an adult from performing any gainful activity. If your medical evidence satisfies all of the requirements of a listing, SSA can find you disabled without having to determine whether you could return to your past work or perform some other type of work.

Importantly, you do not have to meet a listing to qualify for disability benefits.

If your condition does not meet or medically equal a listing, SSA must continue evaluating your claim, including your residual functional capacity and, when applicable, your ability to perform past work or other work.

The new cardiovascular rules become effective on October 30, 2026. SSA has stated that the new rules will apply to new applications filed on or after that date as well as claims that are still pending when the rules become effective.

New Listing 4.07: Aortic Valvular Disease

One of the most significant additions is Listing 4.07 for aortic valvular disease.

The aortic valve controls blood flow from the heart's left ventricle into the aorta. When that valve becomes severely narrowed—a condition known as aortic stenosis—the heart must work harder to pump blood through the valve.

Severe aortic valve disease can cause symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Dizziness or fainting

• Reduced ability to exercise or perform physical activity

Under the new Listing 4.07, SSA requires symptoms caused by aortic valve stenosis together with appropriate medical testing showing:

An aortic valve area of less than 1.0 cm².

This is important because SSA now has a listing specifically addressing severe aortic valvular disease instead of requiring the condition to be evaluated primarily through other cardiovascular listings.

For disability applicants, an echocardiogram or other cardiac testing documenting the valve area may therefore become particularly important evidence.

New Listing 4.08: Cardiomyopathy

SSA has also created a dedicated listing for cardiomyopathy, a disease involving the heart muscle.

Cardiomyopathy can interfere with the heart's ability to pump blood and can sometimes cause abnormal heart rhythms. The condition can take several different forms, and the new Listing 4.08 specifically addresses several particularly serious forms of the disease.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes abnormal thickening of the heart muscle.

Under the new listing, medical imaging must document a left ventricular or septal wall thickness of at least 20 millimeters, when the thickening is not caused by another condition such as hypertension or aortic valve disease.

The claimant must also satisfy additional requirements involving either severe recurring symptoms and very serious limitations in daily activities when exercise testing would present a significant medical risk, or sufficiently poor performance on qualifying exercise testing.

For example, the listing includes an inability to perform at a workload equivalent to 5 METs or less on certain standard exercise testing, or a peak oxygen consumption of 15 ml/kg/min or less on cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

This makes objective cardiac imaging, exercise testing when medically appropriate, and documentation of symptoms particularly important.

Endomyocardial Fibrosis

Listing 4.08 also specifically addresses endomyocardial fibrosis.

To satisfy this portion of the listing, appropriate medical imaging must document:

1. Loss of chamber volume from fibrosis of the endocardium involving at least one ventricle;

2. Enlargement of the right or left atrium; and

3. Regurgitant blood flow through the mitral or tricuspid valve.

This gives SSA specific criteria for evaluating a serious but relatively uncommon form of heart disease.

Cardiac Amyloidosis – AL Type

The new listing also specifically recognizes cardiac amyloidosis AL (light-chain) type.

Under Listing 4.08C, SSA requires the condition to be documented by biopsy.

This is particularly significant because SSA has now placed this serious form of cardiac amyloidosis directly into the cardiovascular listing for cardiomyopathy.

Repeated Hospitalizations for Cardiomyopathy

Another important part of Listing 4.08 concerns people who experience repeated serious complications from cardiomyopathy.

A claimant may satisfy Listing 4.08D when exacerbations or complications of cardiomyopathy require:

• Three hospitalizations within a consecutive 12-month period;

• The hospitalizations are at least 30 days apart; and

• Each hospitalization lasts at least 48 hours, including qualifying emergency-department time immediately before the hospitalization.

For people who repeatedly end up in the hospital because of serious complications from cardiomyopathy, hospital records and discharge summaries may therefore be critical evidence in a disability claim.

New Listing 4.16: Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy After a Heart Transplant

SSA has also created Listing 4.16 for cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV).

CAV is a serious condition that can develop after a heart transplant. It involves thickening of the coronary artery walls and can progress into significant narrowing of the blood vessels and heart dysfunction.

Under the new listing, CAV must be documented through appropriate medical imaging, such as coronary angiography or intravascular ultrasound.

The claimant must then have at least one of the following:

• Cardiac index or cardiac output below 2 L/min/m²;

• Left ventricular ejection fraction of 45% or less;

• Right atrial pressure greater than 12 mmHg; or

• Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure greater than 15 mmHg.

These are highly technical measurements, but the practical point is straightforward: SSA now has specific criteria for evaluating serious cardiac allograft vasculopathy rather than relying only on other listings or medical-equivalence arguments.

What About the Heart Transplant Listing?

SSA continues to have a separate listing for heart transplantation.

Under Listing 4.09, a person is considered disabled for one year from the date of the heart transplant. After that period, SSA evaluates the person's remaining impairments.

The new Listing 4.16 becomes particularly important when a transplant recipient later develops cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

The Changes Go Beyond the Three New Listings

Although the three new listings are significant, they are not the only changes SSA is making.

The agency has substantially revised its cardiovascular rules, including criteria involving chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, congenital heart disease, peripheral artery disease, chronic venous insufficiency, and other cardiovascular conditions.

For example, the revised chronic heart failure Listing 4.02 includes several different pathways for establishing listing-level severity.

One involves an ejection fraction of 30% or less during a period of medical stability together with additional required functional or exercise-related criteria.

Another pathway addresses extremely severe heart failure with an ejection fraction of 20% or less on two evaluations at least 90 days apart within a consecutive 12-month period, while the claimant is receiving prescribed therapy and is medically stable.

The new rules also contain criteria addressing repeated hospitalizations and certain advanced heart-failure treatments.

That means a disability claim involving heart disease should not be evaluated based solely on a diagnosis or a single ejection-fraction measurement.

Medical Records Will Be Critical Under the New Rules

One theme throughout the revised cardiovascular listings is the importance of objective medical documentation and longitudinal treatment records.

Depending on the heart condition, important evidence may include:

• Echocardiograms

• Ejection fraction measurements

• Cardiac MRI results

• Stress-test results

• Cardiopulmonary exercise testing

• Holter monitor or other ECG results

• Cardiac catheterization records

• Coronary angiography

• Hospital admission and discharge records

• Cardiology treatment notes

• Surgical records

• Heart transplant records

• Medication history

• Documentation of shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, fainting, palpitations, and exercise intolerance

SSA explains in the revised rules that a longitudinal clinical record is generally important because it shows not only the diagnosis, but also how the condition responds to treatment and whether the person's functioning is improving, worsening, or remaining unchanged.

A Diagnosis Alone Does Not Mean You Meet a Listing

This is one of the most important things for disability applicants to understand.

Being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, heart failure, coronary artery disease, or another serious cardiac condition does not automatically mean that you meet a Social Security disability listing.

Listings contain very specific medical requirements.

For example, two people may both have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but their disability cases can be very different depending on their imaging findings, symptoms, exercise tolerance, hospitalizations, response to treatment, and other medical evidence.

The question is therefore not simply:

“Do I have heart disease?”

The more important disability question is:

“What does the medical evidence show about the type, severity, and functional effects of my heart disease?”

What If My Heart Condition Does Not Meet One of the New Listings?

You may still qualify for SSDI or SSI.

SSA specifically explains that it does not deny a disability claim simply because a person's condition fails to satisfy a listing.

If your cardiovascular condition does not meet a listing, SSA must consider whether it medically equals a listing. If it does not, SSA generally proceeds to evaluate your residual functional capacity (RFC)—what you can still do despite your medical limitations.

This can be especially important for someone whose heart condition causes symptoms such as:

• Severe fatigue

• Shortness of breath with minimal exertion

• Chest pain

• Dizziness

• Fainting or near-fainting

• Difficulty standing or walking for extended periods

• Reduced ability to lift or carry

• Frequent need for rest

• Medication side effects

• Frequent medical appointments or hospitalizations

A person may have compelling evidence of disability even when the exact numerical requirements of a cardiovascular listing are not satisfied.

When Do Social Security's New Heart Listings Take Effect?

The revised cardiovascular rules become effective October 30, 2026.

This date is particularly important for people who already have disability cases pending.

According to SSA, the current cardiovascular rules continue to apply until the new rule's effective date. Beginning October 30, 2026, SSA will use the new rule for new applications and claims that are still pending on or after the effective date, as applicable.

Therefore, these changes may affect not only people who apply after October 30, but also some people who filed their disability claims before that date and are still waiting for a decision.

Applying for Social Security Disability With Heart Disease

Heart disease cases can be complicated because medical records often contain highly technical information.

A cardiology report may discuss ejection fraction, ventricular wall thickness, METs, VO2, valve area, stenosis, cardiac output, filling pressures, or other measurements without explaining why those findings matter under Social Security's disability rules.

The new cardiovascular listings make understanding those records even more important.

If you are unable to work because of cardiomyopathy, heart failure, aortic valve disease, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, complications following a heart transplant, or another serious cardiovascular condition, your medical evidence should be carefully evaluated under the appropriate Social Security disability criteria.

And remember: not meeting a listing does not necessarily mean you are not disabled.

Social Security disability cases require consideration of the entire medical record and, when the listings are not met or equaled, the limitations that prevent you from sustaining work.

Need Help With a Social Security Disability Claim for Heart Disease?

If a serious heart condition has made it impossible for you to continue working, understanding how Social Security evaluates your medical evidence can make an important difference in your disability claim.

The new cardiovascular listings provide additional ways for people with certain severe heart conditions to establish disability, but the requirements are detailed and highly medical.

Kalish Law can review your Social Security disability claim, your medical evidence, and the cardiovascular criteria that may apply to your case.

Contact our office to discuss your SSDI or SSI disability claim.

This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Social Security disability eligibility depends on the individual facts and medical evidence in each case.

Source: Social Security Administration, Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Cardiovascular Disorders, Final Rule, 91 Fed. Reg. 40804 (July 2, 2026), effective October 30, 2026.