Scuba

[Bob]

Are there any divers out there? I have been wondering if I can still dive after a mitral valve repair? Will depth be any problem? I asked my cardio guy and he didn't know. Said he hadn't sen any stats on divers with valve repair. Intuitively it seem there would be no problem but.....? Yes I could contact DAN but my insurance has run out. I am 67 years old and in pretty good condition, two months out from mitral repair. Thanks

 

[Ross]

Bob I don't have a clue on this one. My Cardiologist is a diver, perhaps I can check with him or give you his number and you can ask? How deep do you go?

 

[Mark Wagner]

Hi Bob,
I would also like to know the answer to that one. Although it has been some time, I am also open water certified. I'm not sure how your body would react to the pressure. It would seem that since your equalizing as you decent and assend, you should be alright. You may want to check with PADI and for sure your surgeon and or cardiologist. I know I plan on sky diving for my 45th birthday. Hopefully my valve will work upside down!
Keep me posted on what you find out. Thanks ... Mark

 

[Ross]

Hopefully my valve will work upside down!

Have you tried hanging upside down from a tree limb like a bat yet? I would think you'd be fine unless the free fall scares you to death.

 

[Icarus]

SCUBA - Frustrated & Depressed

SCUBA - Frustrated & Depressed

Hi Bob,
I am also a Scuba guy (PADI - Rescue Diver) who unfortunately went through a Mitral Valve Replacement (NOT a repair). I called DAN because I want to get back into it and they said - NO!
I then went to ask St Jude, who had a photo of a woman diver on their website - caption saying she's enjoying life after MVR and going down to 90 feet, no problem. Now I have a yes and no answer.
The problem as I see it is mostly from Coumadin, which can make an unnoticeable bleed, bleed heavily (Ear, Nose, etc.) If I do not go past 1 atmosphere (35 feet) I don't see the problem with either bleeding or squeeze on the valve.
If you had a Repair, you shouldn't have a problem but I would ask DAN for a SCUBA diving Doc in your area for a checkup. I don't think you have to be a member for that information.
Good Luck, let me know how you make out.
Rich

 

[nefarious_muse]

hello all: my husband used to dive as well and has been wondering about whether or not he should try again.

i did a google search and found this link: http://www.scubadiving.com/training/medicine/heartmatter.shtml

unfortunately, the author (MD) advises against diving, due to risks associated with coumadin. my husband is pretty bummed out as he really, really, enjoyed diving. we haven't asked our cardiologist about this yet - as we felt that the article rationalized the risk pretty well

If anyone hears differently, please let me know

Nef

 

[ccrawford]

Another opinion

Another opinion

I'm a diver, not a doctor. I think some of the replies on the above mentioned web site were a little on the conservative side. I don't blame the doc, if I was advising professionally, I'd be conservative too. An experienced diver is extremely comfortable while diving - at least I am, I feel like I could take a nap sometimes. My point is that some types of dives are anything but strenuous. Likewise, a reef dive down to 30 -40 feet hardly taxes the body when surfacing as long as you come up slowly. I've had a lot of dives and never had an ear or nose bleed. If you are really missing your diving, I'd get another opinion. As long as you take it easy, my (unprofessional) guess is that you'll be ok. Chris

 

[Icarus]

Diving - Worth it? - Yes (with reservations)

Diving - Worth it? - Yes (with reservations)

Chris,
I totally agree that a shallow dive should be no problem. There's no squeeze and is totally non-taxing. However, I did my diving along the Yucatan and if anything happened, that one in a million problem, you've really got a problem. U.S. hospitals and cardio specialists are not exactly next door.
That seems to be my problem (mostly mental) - What do you do with no help available?
Indecisively yours,
Rich.

 

[ccrawford]

A choice

A choice

Rich - The Yucatan is a great place for diving. We stayed about 30 miles south of Cancun. Got in some dives off Cozumel including the SanFransico wall. Also did some drift dives starting south of Cozumel off the coast of the mainland and drifting north about five miles. Almost no work to it at all and what great scenery. Re your question, I guess its a matter of how important it is to you. We all play with the risk/reward curve every day and don't think about it much. Mine is probably a little goofy - I used to love to kayak wild and wooly whitewater, I've done a lot of downhill skiing, and proabably would have been a good skydiver except I don't like heights. I would not hesitate to take some easy dives that I felt comfortable with. But-- I am not your doctor, nor am I an expert in these matters. I'm affraid its your choice my friend. If you do decide to dive, have a great time and let me know how you did. Chris