shakeybrainsurgeon
Contributor
This sounds like a problem relating to general cardiovascular fitness and not a unique diving problem, like PFO.
Certain illnesses or conditions produce a unique problem for diving --- examples:
PFO (air embolism); asthma (more theoretical than practical); ear problems; sinus problems; dental problems, and so on. These conditions are directly affected by the pressure gradients experienced by divers and the need to breathe pressurized gases.
Other problems, like angina, are not unique to diving but merely reflect the risk of the disease in any athletic endeavor. Granted, a heart attack at 60 feet under is a tad dicier than one in your bedroom, but one can have such an attack driving, or descending a staircase or in any other of a number of situations that are "suboptimal".
If you can swim a mile and a half at a time, your cardiovascular tolerance is better than the average American and should be fine for ordinary recreational diving.
If they won't clear you for diving, ask if they would clear you for the swimming regimen you now pursue. If they allow you to swim long distances, but not to dive, they a) don't understand diving and/or b) are just in the CYA mode as you say.
By its nature, recreational diving should be viewed as a relaxing swim, not as an aerobic conditioning event. Not to say that a diver shouldn't be fit, or that lugging and wearing equipment isn't stressful at times. But someone with ischemic heart disease who can safely pursue vigorous land-based or other non-diving aerobic workouts should be able to dive.
This advice is not meant to supplant the advice of your physician, merely one person's opinion. I would be interested in hearing other medical thoughts...
Certain illnesses or conditions produce a unique problem for diving --- examples:
PFO (air embolism); asthma (more theoretical than practical); ear problems; sinus problems; dental problems, and so on. These conditions are directly affected by the pressure gradients experienced by divers and the need to breathe pressurized gases.
Other problems, like angina, are not unique to diving but merely reflect the risk of the disease in any athletic endeavor. Granted, a heart attack at 60 feet under is a tad dicier than one in your bedroom, but one can have such an attack driving, or descending a staircase or in any other of a number of situations that are "suboptimal".
If you can swim a mile and a half at a time, your cardiovascular tolerance is better than the average American and should be fine for ordinary recreational diving.
If they won't clear you for diving, ask if they would clear you for the swimming regimen you now pursue. If they allow you to swim long distances, but not to dive, they a) don't understand diving and/or b) are just in the CYA mode as you say.
By its nature, recreational diving should be viewed as a relaxing swim, not as an aerobic conditioning event. Not to say that a diver shouldn't be fit, or that lugging and wearing equipment isn't stressful at times. But someone with ischemic heart disease who can safely pursue vigorous land-based or other non-diving aerobic workouts should be able to dive.
This advice is not meant to supplant the advice of your physician, merely one person's opinion. I would be interested in hearing other medical thoughts...
