Scuba Diving with Artificial Valve and Stroke

[denobobeno]

Well, I can't believe that it's been 3 1/2 years since my surgery. I was really active prior to surgery and the stroke that followed 2 weeks after surgery. Before all that happened I went snow skiing and scuba diving. The snow skiing I miss, but I can live without, but there is no replacing scuba for me! I love it! My Cardiologist told me I was at too much of a risk of having a stroke because of the whole artificial valve thing.
I know I could ask different Doctor's that have different opinion's until I found one that told me what I wanted to hear, but I know I need to do what's really best. I have to keep in mind that having an accident underwater can affect my dive partner, so I can't put anyone else at risk. BUT, if is common practice to safely dive then I would love to!! So...I thought I'd take a poll with a lot of patients.
It's a challenge to deal with the thought of not EVER getting to dive again.... I'm only 48 freakin years old for gosh sakes. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm blessed and this is the least of my worries, but sometimes I admit I get frustrated at being told..'.you don't need to that' or 'you can't do that'.
Okay, sorry to go off...
Thanks guys! Deana

 

[Philip B]

Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving

Hi Deana,

Following my AVR surgery, I really questioned my cardiologist about what kinds activities I could resume. Like you, I had pursued an active lifestyle which involved lots of outdoor activities. My cardio doc simply told me that AVR surgery was simply about fixing a problem so one could get on with life. He told me to do whatever I wanted to do and that my new heart valve or the fact that I would be taking coumadin the rest of my life would not prevent me from pursuing any activities I had done prior to surgery. He did jokingly suggest that I might not want to pursue a career as a professional football player.

Scuba diving was one of the activities I specifically asked him about. When asked, the doc looked at me with a puzzled look and stated that my new valve worked better than my original equipment. He did not feel doing scuba would present any kind of elevated level of risk.

By the way, snow skiing has presented no problems either. I did purchase a good ski helmet.

I sought his advice not because I figured he would tell me what I wanted to hear, but becuase I really wanted to make sure I would know what I could do safely. Please keep in mind that I am not a medical professional and I do not have a clue as to why your doctor told you scuba diving would place you at a higher level of risk because your valve has been replaced. Is there some research supported reason for his perspective, or do you have an additional medical problem which would elevate your level of risk?

I do feel fortunate to have scored a good cardiologist whose counsel I trust. I'll miss him when I move to Arizona in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, I'll find a good replacement in the Valley of the Sun (200 miles from Rocky Point, Mexico, where I plan to dive from time to time).

-Philip

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Interesting disparity between those Cardiologists.

Maybe it would be a good idea to ask this question of Surgeons instead.

My 'gut feeling' is that Surgeons often have a better understanding of Valves and Valve Issues.

 

[skeptic49]

My Cardiologist told me I was at too much of a risk of having a stroke because of the whole artificial valve thing.

I would want to know if SCUBA diving itself in any way heightens or exacerbates the risk of stroke after valve replacement with an artificial valve. If so, that would be a problem, but if not, then why not continiue to dive? You want to live your life as fully as you can. While your concern for your scuba buddy is admirable, in my experience the buddy system in sport diving leaves a lot to be desired in terms of reliability. Many times that I have gone diving during the past 30 years, once we got down the buddy system went out the window anyway. If diving is something that you love then I sincerely hope that you can continue to do it and that the mere fact that you have an artificual valve in an of itself proves not to be a contraindication.

Jim

 

[Ross]

My ex Cardio was a diver and he said so long as a person isn't deep sea diving, there really isn't a problem. There is another thread around here somewhere about diving and valve replacement. The name of the person eludes me at the moment, but a certification specialist addressed the issue.

See this thread, there is another, but I cannot find it right now:

http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19764

 

[AgilityDog]

I can no longer dive, but it's because my pacemaker/defibrillator isn't depth rated! There may be some models that are, or there may be in the future. But it's not the valve problem!

 

[Philip B]

Scuba Diving II?

Scuba Diving II?

Shortly after my surgery, I posed questions about scuba diving with an artificial valve to my surgeon. His response mirrored that of my cardiologist. Neither could see any problem with me continuing to scuba dive.

Perhaps your previous issue with a stroke is what your cardiologist is concerned about. If that's the case, I'm not sure why he feels your valve would increase your risk when diving.

-Philip

 

[Lily]

. . .I do feel fortunate to have scored a good cardiologist whose counsel I trust. I'll miss him when I move to Arizona in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, I'll find a good replacement in the Valley of the Sun (200 miles from Rocky Point, Mexico, where I plan to dive from time to time).

-Philip

Sorry to temporarily hijack, Deana; I've never scuba dived. I snorkeled in the Caribbean as a girl but have seen Jaws too many times as a grownup to want to get more than knee deep in any oceans And BTW, I've seen some pretty big sharks pulled in right off the Pacific coast. Not Jaws big, but big enough to take off a toe or something.

But Philip, you will roast this summer in Arizona after Kremmling's weather. I used to live in Summit County and recall one 44 below zero (not windchill) winter day up there and their "28-day growing season." Arizona, nearly without exception, is HOT a great deal of the year! This will be quite an adjustment for you. Are you looking forward to the change?

 

[denobobeno]

Thanks for all the responses. I really love hearing all the positive feedback.
I have listened to this Cardiologist because he seems to be up on issues (he scored me my own INR testing kit) whereas my last Cardiologist was living in the dark ages and had never even heard of home testers...But...I really want to dive!
It's been over a year since he told me I can't dive so the details are sketchy, but I believe the fact I have had a stroke before slighty raises the chances of another. He mentioned something about the pressure in the lungs can cause a clot?...Does that make sense? I'll have to ask him again now that I'm questioning the fact that it's possible again.
My husband has always been my dive partner; he has already been through the trama of being on the highway when my stroke hit and trying to find a hospital in the nearest town. Although he means well sometimes it drives me crazy how he worries...so I try to alleviate his worry by not adding to his headaches. I have always been more of the daredevil and he's more of the laidback person which doesn't help things. We'll have our 30th anniversary next summer and I'm determined to go diving!!! Unfortunately he was in the room when the Cardiologist told me I couldn't dive anymore. I should not have asked that day!!
Asking my Surgeon is a great idea. I'm going to do that next. Then I'm going freaking diving!!!!!!
Thanks!

 

[Philip B]

Give Me Heat!

Give Me Heat!

Yes Lily, we are looking forward to dealing with heat rather than cold. The traumatic brain injury I received last June when I was a hit and run victim has affected my ability to handle extreme cold. Our weeks and weeks of subzero winter weather in Colorado were extremely difficult for me to handle this year. Extreme cold gives me seizures.

We believe it will be easier to handle a few months of heat with air conditioning than the cold in Colorado's mountains. My spouse wants to live somewhere where she can play golf on a more year around basis and I need to live where I can regularly do my bicycling thing. My wife has lived in Arizona before.

We'll try Arizona and see how we do. Actually, I wouldn't have minded moving to Mexico to get closer to water sports like scuba diving, sailing, and sea kayaking, but my wife didn't want to go that far south.

-Philip

 

[Ross]

If I remember correctly, you had a stroke because of poor Coumadin management, not because your body simply created a clot. If your anticoagulated properly now, there should not be a problem. Deep sea diving is a different thing. Decompression can put air bubbles into your blood stream as you decompress, which can pose a problem.

 

[Lily]

Yes Lily, we are looking forward to dealing with heat rather than cold. The traumatic brain injury I received last June when I was a hit and run victim has affected my ability to handle extreme cold. Our weeks and weeks of subzero winter weather in Colorado were extremely difficult for me to handle this year. Extreme cold gives me seizures.

We believe it will be easier to handle a few months of heat with air conditioning than the cold in Colorado's mountains. My spouse wants to live somewhere where she can play golf on a more year around basis and I need to live where I can regularly do my bicycling thing. My wife has lived in Arizona before.

We'll try Arizona and see how we do. Actually, I wouldn't have minded moving to Mexico to get closer to water sports like scuba diving, sailing, and sea kayaking, but my wife didn't want to go that far south.

-Philip

(Sorry again Deana)

Wow, didn't realize what all you'd gone through, Philip!
Hoping the change to the warmer climate will go very well for you and your wife

 

[denobobeno]

scuba question

scuba question

Thanks Ross

 

[Jeanie]

This is a fascinating question, glad you asked it. I don't plan to take up that sport, but will be interested to find out what other information you receive, Deana. Just from guessing, my only perception of why it could be a problem is same as what Ross said, how deep you plan to go could be an issue, plus any temporary possible circulatory changes the activity might cause. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Jkm7]

I would think the fact of having a history of stroke would be more pertinent than prosthetic valve. I question whether the cause for the stroke makes a difference. Wishing you the best.

 

[Cris N]

Have you googled artificial heart valve and scuba? Very interesting... seem to be some fairly well-qualified answers that should set your mind at ease. I love the one about being careful your INR is not too high - wouldn't want you to bleed to death if you cut yourself on some coral

 

[james]

Whatever you do just carry an extra pony bottle and use a Quickdraw safety bracket. I make them. I am just going to not go too deep because of pressure when I start to go under again.