Will people with a heart condition be accepted into the army - Russia in 2021

Cardiovascular diseases are a real “plague” of our century. They are responsible for the majority of deaths. Among the extensive list of diseases from which modern man most often suffers, heart and vascular diseases occupy a special place. These pathologies are the undisputed leaders in the number of deaths in the world. And our country, unfortunately, is not on the list of exceptions - millions of Russians have heart problems. Therefore, it is not surprising that cardiovascular (CVD) diseases are one of the most common reasons for the release of young men from military service.

Heart pathologies or cardiopathy not only worsen the patient’s quality of life, many of them are deadly and require significant restrictions from the person regarding exercise and nutrition. It would seem that such ailments are little compatible with the harsh everyday life of the army. However, not all CVD are grounds for exemption or deferment from conscription. The decision on each specific case is made by a medical commission, which takes into account the severity of the disease, its form, the conscript’s ability to endure significant physical activity and other factors. Often the military registration and enlistment office sends a young man for additional examination or treatment.

Will people with heart arrhythmia be accepted into the army in 2021?

For a conscript with heart failure, military service threatens exacerbation, complications, and death. 65% of deaths occur in severe forms of the disease. Among the list of pathologies, arrhythmia is among those diseases for which they are not accepted into the army. However, for this to happen, you need to undergo a lot of examinations, consultations with specialists, and have supporting documentation.

Chronic heart failure develops against the background of various pathologies of internal organs and systems. Accompanied by disruption of the heart and pumping function. As a result, the human body does not receive the necessary oxygen and important nutritional components, and works under load. In a stressful situation, the condition worsens, which can lead to cardiac arrest and death as a result of oxygen starvation.

When examining pre-conscripts, doctors are guided by the New York classification of the functional state of patients with heart failure and arrhythmia.

1. There are no restrictions on physical activity, normal exercise does not have an adverse effect on the body, there is no shortness of breath, weakness, increased fatigue, or irregular heartbeat.
2. There is a moderate limitation in physical activity. In a calm state, there are no deviations in the functioning of the heart or the patient’s well-being. Physical and emotional stress causes increased heart rate, weakness, dizziness, and other symptoms of arrhythmia.
3. Significant limitation of physical activity. There is an increased risk of an attack of heart failure during physical and emotional stress. A stressful situation is contraindicated.
4. Unpleasant sensations and discomfort are constantly present. It hurts and needs constant care. Physical activity is limited as much as possible; slight anxiety leads to serious deterioration in health.

Whether someone with heart failure will be accepted into the army depends on how much the pathology reduces the normal functioning of the heart. Since arrhythmia is accompanied by disruption of the functioning of other internal organs and systems, other diseases are also taken into account. Consequently, in 2021, conscripts from 1st and 2nd FCs are being recruited with arrhythmia. They won’t take it from FC 3, 4. However, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a consultation with several doctors, a diagnostic examination, and have supporting documentation.

Heart disease and military service

Heart disease is not a specific diagnosis, but a whole group of diseases in which the normal functioning of the heart is disrupted. Their cause is the presence of a defect in the structure of the organ itself, one or more of its valves or blood vessels. It includes the following pathologies: defects of the interatrial septum (ASD), interventricular septum (VSD), septum between the pulmonary artery and the aorta, etc. Congenital and acquired heart defects (CHD) are known.

Acquired heart defects are most often the result of past infections, autoimmune diseases, and increased stress. The cause of the congenital form is considered to be genetic factors and, possibly, diseases suffered by the mother during pregnancy.

Surgery is one of the most effective methods for treating heart defects.
The clinical picture of the disease depends on its severity and type. This may include shortness of breath, fainting, murmurs and pain in the heart, cyanosis, and frequent infectious diseases. In most cases, the only effective treatment is surgery.

You can often hear stories from people of military age about how someone was drafted into the army with a heart defect. This really happens, but usually young men with such a disease are not accepted into the service. Although, there are also nuances here. Whether a person liable for military service will be accepted into the army depends on the following conditions:

• possibilities of blood outflow;
• presence of deficiency;
• the conscript’s general health at the time of the medical examination;
• normal functioning of heart valves.

A conscript can count on category “B” if there are defects between the atria or congenital valve defects. Category “D” can be obtained for heart failure FC II–IV (functional class). The medical commission must make a similar decision in case of insufficiency of the aortic, mitral or tricuspid valves, as well as in case of second degree regurgitation.

However, it would be a mistake to consider heart defects as an absolute guarantee against being sent to the army - it all depends on the specific case. For example, if the bicuspid aortic valve is insufficient, a conscript may be declared fit - if the defect is compensated. There is a cardiac pathology called “patent foramen ovale.” Doctors cannot agree on whether this phenomenon relates to congenital heart disease or minor anomalies of heart development. However, this is not even the problem: the pathology is quite difficult to determine during the examination, so patients are often recorded in category “A”.

Abuses occur in military registration and enlistment offices; sometimes, in order to fulfill the plan, they can neglect the diagnosis and send a conscript with a severe heart defect to the army. In this case, it is necessary to seek a re-examination and not be afraid to go to court.

Early ventricular repolarization syndrome and WPW syndrome

Premature or early ventricular repolarization syndrome (PVRS) is a curious and complex electrophysiological phenomenon, the nature of which is not yet fully understood by science. There is also no consensus on the consequences of the syndrome for patients. Some doctors consider SRRH to be generally harmless to the body, while others believe that it can lead to a heart attack or cause sudden cardiac arrest.

In most cases, SRS can only be detected using an electrocardiogram.

In the heart muscle, two processes occur cyclically: depolarization (contraction) and repolarization (relaxation). Normal operation of the system is ensured by electrical impulses passing through the cardiomyocyte. With SRR, a small malfunction occurs in the functioning of the organ, which can only be seen on an ECG.

Previously, this defect was not paid much attention, but in recent studies, scientists have been able to trace the connection between the syndrome and the appearance of ventricular arrhythmias, as well as cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

Typically, SRS occurs in people who are regularly exposed to significant physical activity, and is most often found in young men. Moreover, this cardiopathy can hardly be called rare - its prevalence reaches 8%. Myocardial hypertrophy is considered to be the main reason for the development of SRR. For example, athletes often experience thickening of the walls of the left ventricle - this is how adaptation to constant stress occurs. Other risk factors include metabolic disorders, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, the presence of additional chordae, and hereditary predisposition.

SRR cannot be called a disease in the usual sense of the word. As a rule, it is expressed only in changes in the electrocardiogram, and an exercise test on a bicycle or treadmill eliminates these symptoms. In some cases, the syndrome is accompanied by a clinical picture resembling tachycardia. However, it has been established that SRR can cause dangerous arrhythmias and cause hidden forms of failure.

Typically, the medical commission does not consider SRRH a valid reason for exemption from conscription. If at the same time the young man complains of heart pain, fainting, dizziness or darkening of the eyes, then he is sent for additional examination. Sometimes a young person is given a six-month deferment to complete it. To receive category “B,” the syndrome must be accompanied by severe forms of arrhythmia.

Another anomaly in the structure of the heart that can lead to dire consequences is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW or SVC). This cardiopathology is characterized by disturbances in the rhythm of the organ - early excitation of the ventricles. The main clinical manifestations of the syndrome are tachyarrhythmia (supraventricular, atrial fibrillation and flutter), heart failure. There are several forms of ERV: manifesting, latent and transient.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a good reason for exemption from the army

This syndrome is considered a “non-conscript” disease - young people who have WPW syndrome are classified as “D” or “B”. The specific decision depends on the functional class of heart failure that occurs with SVC. In any case, military service is incompatible with WPW - the risks of serious complications are too great.

Military service and heart rhythm disturbances

Bradycardia is a slowdown in the normal rhythm of the heart, which has an extremely negative effect on the functioning of all body systems. In healthy people, the heart rate (HR) is 60-80 beats per minute; with bradycardia, it can drop to 30-50 beats. The frequency of contractions is controlled by the sinus node or pacemaker, located at the point where the vena cava enters the right atrium.

A slowdown in work can be a consequence of a number of reasons: with myocardial damage, disruption of the nervous system, cerebral edema, under the influence of drugs, poisoning, fasting, etc. Heart rate decreases under the influence of low temperature, with severe fatigue. Low heart rate is absolutely normal for trained athletes.

Severe bradycardia provides grounds for exemption from military service

With moderate bradycardia, the heart beats 40-50 times per minute. This is quite enough for normal blood circulation. For some people, such a frequency of contractions is an individual physiological feature, and therefore does not cause them much discomfort. A decrease in heart rate to 30 beats per minute leads to oxygen starvation of tissues and is fraught with serious consequences. This form of the disease is called severe bradycardia. It not only significantly worsens the patient’s quality of life and performance, but is also dangerous due to sudden cardiac arrest.

The question is often asked about whether people with heart bradycardia are recruited into the army? There is no definite answer to this; the decision is made by the medical commission for each specific case separately. And most of all, doctors are interested in how much a conscript diagnosed with chronic bradycardia is able to tolerate physical activity.

Heart rhythm disturbances are covered under Article 42 of the Schedule of Diseases. It contains four functional classes (FC) for bradycardia. The first and second classes of the disease entitle the conscript to apply for category “B”, the third and fourth – for complete exemption from military service with category “D”. The diagnosis must be confirmed by appropriate cardiac parameters recorded in medical records. However, even a conscript has all this; he will be sent for additional examination from the military registration and enlistment office. Usually it includes a standard ECG, daily monitoring of heart function, echocardiography, bicycle ergometry, etc.

Cardiosclerosis and military service

Cardiosclerosis is a pathological condition of the heart muscle, which is characterized by the replacement of muscle fibers in the myocardium with connective tissue. This disease is often a consequence of ischemic disease, heart attack, atherosclerosis of the heart vessels, myocardial dystrophy or inflammatory processes (postmyocardial cardiosclerosis).

Main symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling, poor exercise tolerance. In the absence of adequate treatment, complications are possible - arrhythmias (extrasystoles) or aneurysm.

Cardiosclerosis is a dangerous disease in which normal muscle tissue of the heart is replaced by connective tissue

This disease is covered under Article 42 of the Republic of Belarus (clause “c”). You can receive an exemption from service if the following factors are present:

• confirmed presence of cardiac pathology;
• conduction or heart rhythm disturbances;
• failure according to the second FC.

The combination of two of the above signs (1 and 3 or 1 and 2) gives grounds for assigning a category “B” to a young person. Naturally, the diagnosis must be verified in the relevant medical documents.

Ischemic disease and angina pectoris

Angina pectoris is a clinical syndrome that is a characteristic manifestation of coronary heart disease (CHD). The cause of this pathological condition is a narrowing of the lumen of the coronary arteries, which, in turn, is usually a consequence of atherosclerosis, vasospasm or embolism. This leads to disruption of the blood supply to the myocardium, its partial blockade, accumulation of metabolic products in the heart muscle and oxygen starvation.

During an attack of angina, a person experiences severe pain in the chest area, which radiates to the neck, left shoulder, and lower jaw. Most often it begins during physical activity or severe stress.

Coronary heart disease is one of the most common pathologies. Angina pectoris is one of its clinical manifestations

Coronary heart disease is one of the most common diseases of our time, and it is also the leader in the number of deaths in the developed world. Angina pectoris is only one form of coronary artery disease; more dangerous manifestations of the disease are heart attack and cardiosclerosis. In addition, with ischemic disease, extrasystole often occurs - a change in the MPP of the heart or its chambers.

In the Schedule of Diseases, IHD is found in Article 44; it has three points corresponding to moderate, severe and moderate course of the disease.

The pathology passes under point “a” if the patient has chronic heart failure (CHF) of class IV and III or angina pectoris of class IV and III. In this case, the conscript receives category “D” and complete exemption from military service. Point “b” includes diseases that are accompanied by insufficiency and angina pectoris of class II, and point “c” includes diseases of the first functional class. In both cases, the conscript is assigned category “B” and is issued a military ID.

The presence and degree of coronary disease is confirmed using ECG (at rest and under load), echocardiography, daily monitoring of heart function, coronography, etc.

High blood pressure and military service

Arterial hypertension or hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system of our time, affecting up to 30% of the adult population. A sedentary lifestyle, bad habits, unhealthy diet leading to obesity - all these factors increase the risk of developing hypertension. Hereditary predisposition to the disease is of great importance. There are three stages of pathology: mild, moderate and severe; it can be primary or secondary.

Complaining about high blood pressure is a favorite method of getting out of the army

The main symptoms of the disease are: shortness of breath, dizziness, tinnitus, rapid heartbeat, sweating, anxiety, decreased performance, swelling and numbness of the extremities. Treatment of arterial hypertension is individual. Patients are usually prescribed vasodilators and diuretics. We can also add that in the absence of proper therapy, the pathology develops into more severe forms.

The attitude of military medicine towards this disease is ambiguous. Hypertension is a very good reason for exemption from military service, but military medical commissions, as a rule, treat such diagnoses with great distrust. Because it is very often used by those who want to “opt out” of conscription or buy a military ID.

High blood pressure is covered under Article 43 of the Schedule of Diseases. A conscript with hypertension can count on category “B” or “D”, but in order to receive them he must prove his disease. The decision to release a young person depends on several factors:

• Formulation in the medical record. In the relevant documents of the conscript, the diagnosis “hypertension” must be indicated, and not any other;
• Regular requests for medical care, documented. If a conscript has never consulted a doctor about high blood pressure, then most likely he will go to serve;
• Stability of cardiac parameters.

Theoretically, even stage 1 hypertension is incompatible with the harsh everyday life of the army - in this case, the conscript is required to be given category “B” and sent to the reserve. The same applies to pathology of the 2nd degree, but if the disease is in the 3rd stage, then the young man is considered category “D”.

But this is in theory, but in practice even conscripts with the 2nd category can be sent to the army, which is absolutely illegal. If this happens to you, then such a decision must be immediately appealed. Typically, young people diagnosed with hypertension are referred for additional examination to several specialists at once: a cardiologist, an endocrinologist, a urologist, a neurologist.

The army and rheumatic heart disease

Most people associate the word “rheumatism” primarily with a disease of the musculoskeletal system. In fact, acute rheumatic fever is a complex inflammatory disease of connective tissue that affects many systems of our body. Its main clinical manifestation is rheumatic carditis, a severe pathology that affects the heart and its membranes. Symptoms of this disease: tachycardia, chest pain, high temperature, the appearance of extraneous noise in the heart.

Rheumatic carditis often leads to complications: atrial fibrillation, myocardiosclerosis, mitral stenosis, aortic insufficiency, cerebral ischemia, mitral valve prolapse. The consequence of this disease is acquired heart defects.

Rheumatic carditis is an inflammatory disease that affects the tissue of the heart. It is a valid reason for exemption from conscription

The Schedule of Diseases states that a conscript who has suffered acute rheumatic fever is considered temporarily unfit for military service (category “G”) and receives a deferment for 12 months. It is believed that during this period all the complications of the disease will have time to manifest themselves, most of which are incompatible with the army. If at least one of them is discovered during a re-examination, then the young man is exempt from military service with category “B” or “D”. A repeated attack of rheumatic fever is considered by the doctors of the Military Military Commission under paragraph “c” of Article 42, which usually ends with the conscript issuing a military ID with fitness category “B”.

Cardiac tachycardia and the army

Physiological tachycardia under a certain load on the body is not considered a pathology and does not pose a health hazard. However, in some cases, it indicates other existing pathologies in which military service can cause complications, even death.

Tachycardia is expressed as a change in heart rate - more than 90 beats per minute. Under the influence of certain factors - alcohol, physical activity, sex, mental stress, emotional excitement, the heart rate increases, but does not cause serious consequences for the body, it normalizes when negative factors are eliminated. With pathological tachycardia, a change in the frequency of beats per minute is observed in a calm state, and under the influence of provocateurs it threatens life.

Tachycardia is accompanied by fainting, frequent dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, so conscripts and their relatives are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to serve in the army with such a diagnosis. It all depends on the reasons provoking tachycardia, the general condition of the young man, and the presence of concomitant diseases.

1. Sinus tachycardia manifests itself with increased physical and emotional stress. The conscript is taken to serve with minor restrictions on the performance of duties.
2. Supraventricular tachycardia occurs even in a calm state and requires immediate medical attention. The conscript is given category "G", as temporarily unfit. The examination will be repeated next year.
3. Ventricular tachycardia is the most dangerous type of disease, threatening the life of a conscript. It is often caused by myocardial infarction or drug intoxication. The conscript is given category “G” or “D”, as unfit for military service.

In order not to go into the army with a diagnosis of tachycardia, you must first undergo examination by several specialists and have supporting documentation. The military commission is guided by the results of its own examination, as well as those of its colleagues who studied the conscript’s body earlier and wrote a conclusion.

Symptoms of heart disease

Symptoms that indicate a pathology of the cardiovascular system include:

• Increased heart rate and feeling of palpitations for no apparent reason;
• Shortness of breath (feeling of lack of air);
• Sudden loss of consciousness, dizziness;
• Swelling, which is localized mainly on the feet and legs;
• “Constricting” and sharp pain in the chest;
• Pain radiating to the arm.

The causes of heart disease are varied. For example: stress, poor diet, alcohol and nicotine abuse, and hereditary factors can also influence.

Heart diseases that will not allow you to join the army

The following heart diseases are completely exempt from military service:

• Cardiosclerosis;
• Vice;
• Congenital pathologies;
• Rheumatic attacks;
• Ischemic disease;
• Heart failure of moderate to severe degree (3, 4 FC).

People with heart problems are taken into the army if doctors manage to establish that:

1. Pathology occurs due to the influence of physiological causes - increased release of adrenaline due to increased physical activity, alcoholic beverages, sports;
2. The disease responds well to treatment with drugs and does not threaten the young man’s life;
3. There are no concomitant diseases.

If, as a result of a medical examination by doctors, a decision is made to limit physical activity in the army, the conscript will be sent to the position of driver, guard, specialist in fuel and lubricant units, chemical units, security guard, etc. To avoid misunderstandings, mistakes, and negligence of the military commission, if you have heart problems, take care of a full examination in advance. If your health worsens immediately during the military commission, request a delay to complete a comprehensive diagnosis.

What do you need to know to be exempt from service due to illness?

It is worth noting that the presence of a certain disease from the list of the Schedule of Diseases cannot serve as an exemption from the army. The conscript must confirm not only the fact of the disease, but also the corresponding degree of the disease.

The exceptions are those diagnosed with HIV, AIDS, or the presence of malignant tumors in the body - then it is enough to just confirm the fact of the disease. For less serious illnesses, confirmation of relapses or other functional impairment may be required.

If you find your diagnosis in the list of the Schedule of Diseases, it is worth clarifying all the points that are related to the call and the degree of the disease. The document allows you to familiarize yourself not only with the list of diseases, but also with detailed characteristics that influence the establishment of a certain category.

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Reviews

Dear readers, you can leave your feedback on whether people with a heart condition are accepted into the army in the comments; your opinion will be useful to other users of the site!

Igor:

“If you have heart problems, tachycardia is a concern, before going to the commission at the military registration and enlistment office, you need to do daily ECG monitoring. The procedure is painless, harmless, and does not require special preparation. Records heart rate throughout the day. This must be done because the ECG does not always show these abnormalities. Tachycardia can occur spontaneously, unexpectedly, not exactly when you are being examined by a military commission. I had this happen, they got me a deferment, then I provided this kind of evidence.”

Anton:

“To determine category B, you need persistent disturbances of the heart that are not treatable, life-threatening, disturbances in heart rhythm and conduction. If this can be proven and confirmed, you can count on a postponement and ineligibility. In other cases, they will take you away on the run!”

Types of ischemia

Among all forms of IHD, the following are common:

• Angina pectoris - this form is characterized by pressing pain in the sternum, heaviness in the heart. Character of pain: cutting, pressing, squeezing. In some cases, an acute lack of oxygen replaces the attack of pain. Symptoms appear suddenly and disappear after a few minutes.
• Myocardial infarction is long lasting pain of high intensity. There is a feeling of lack of oxygen, possibly cold sweating, severe weakness, and an attack of fear.
• Heart failure is a disordered natural rhythm of the heart, shortness of breath is observed even with mild exercise, weakness, and swelling of the legs.
• Heart rhythm disturbances are another common form of pathology. There are interruptions in the functioning of the heart muscle. The feeling of freezing is replaced by an accelerated heartbeat.

What to do with o

If, based on the results of a medical examination, the draft commission assigned you category D, you are completely exempt from military service. True, they enlist you in the reserves - if a real war happens, they will still give you a machine gun. In the meantime, you must be given a military ID with a mark of unfitness. This must be done 10 days after the commission makes a decision.

Let us remind you that recently it became known about a new increase in military salaries.

Based on materials from the “legal advice” channel in Yandex. Zen.

Factors provoking IHD

The main reason for the development of coronary heart disease is atherosclerosis. Its essence lies in the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the blood vessels, which compress or completely block the access of blood to different parts of the heart, thereby causing insufficient blood supply.

Coronary heart disease occurs not only due to insufficient blood supply to the heart, but also for a number of other reasons. Factors in the development of pathology include unbalanced nutrition, abuse of fast food, bad habits, frequent stress, metabolic disorders, obesity, and heredity. It provokes ischemic disease and a sedentary lifestyle, long-term use of hormonal drugs, including contraceptives, age over 50 years. After the age of fifty, the main risk group is usually men. However, the development of coronary heart disease in women with previous illnesses (diabetes mellitus, hypertension and others) cannot be ruled out.