- Coronary artery disease
- Medical opinion (heart attack) (physical exertion)
- Angina
The worker appealed a WSIB decision that granted entitlement for an aggravation of pre-existing coronary artery disease (CAD) from September 6 to 14, 2023, but denied entitlement for the surgery on September 14, 2023, and any post-surgery benefits. The worker was represented by a paralegal, and the employer did not participate.
On September 6, 2023, while performing physically demanding labor duties different from his usual sedentary role, the worker experienced chest pain and shortness of breath, leading to hospital admission and a cardiologist assessment. Surgery was performed on September 14, 2023 for diagnosed CAD. Initial WSIB rulings denied entitlement, then granted entitlement for aggravation of CAD but denied surgery benefits after a medical consultant review. The ARO concluded the worker was entitled to benefits for the aggravation period but not for the surgery, based on opinions that the surgery addressed the pre-existing condition unrelated to the workplace incident. The worker testified about his stable pre-existing heart condition and described the physical exertion and environmental conditions leading to his injury. His representative argued the surgery was a direct consequence of the workplace aggravation and that the worker's condition was stable before the incident. The Panel gave little weight to the medical consultant's opinion denying surgery entitlement, noting that the surgery followed shortly after the workplace incident with no intervening events. The treating cardiologist's reports indicated an acute change in the pre-existing CAD triggered by physical exertion at work, supporting entitlement for surgery and related benefits. The appeal was allowed, granting the worker entitlement for the September 14, 2023 surgery and any benefits arising from this decision, with the scope and duration of benefits returned to WSIB for determination.