Cardiologist in the Washington, DC metro area

[MKD]

Does anyone know of a cardiologist in the DC metro area that also knows about diving and cardiovascular issues? I requested names from DAN, but only one Dr. was referred back to me and his ratings online are marginal.

Echo test results are showing an ejection fraction of 40-45%, and a cardiac MRI reflects minimal hypokinesis at the LV apex. However, ejection fraction increases with exercise to 50-55%. I have never had any issues with diving, even up to depths of 100 ft., and fatigue on a daily basis but that has never caused issues with diving. Any thoughts, advice, or names of referral cardiologists would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Beau640]

99% of doctors out there will not know anything specific about dive medicine. It's not standard in med school or residency. If DAN found one that actually does have training in dive medicine near you, I'd go see them. Don't pay attention to online website ratings of doctors. Those websites are horribly inaccurate and useless.

 

[Scott]

I would send a PM to Doug Ebersole, debersole here.
While he's a cardiologist in Florida he is very giving of his time to share his knowledge. Of course he's going to refer you to a local.

 

[Bratface]

Years ago I had to travel two hours to see an ENT that was referred to me by DAN. Maybe there is another cardiologist in surrounding states. There are several cardiologists at Duke University hospital which is in Durham, NC.

 

[MKD]

Years ago I had to travel two hours to see an ENT that was referred to me by DAN. Maybe there is another cardiologist in surrounding states. There are several cardiologists at Duke University hospital which is in Durham, NC.

Thanks for the message. I am absolutely willing to travel to ensure that I am diving safely, so I will look into Duke.

 

[MKD]

I would send a PM to Doug Ebersole, debersole here.
While he's a cardiologist in Florida he is very giving of his time to share his knowledge. Of course he's going to refer you to a local.

Thank you! I'll send him a PM now

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

If you come to Duke you can also schedule yourself to be seen by a diving physician in the hyperbaric clinic, probably on the same day as your cardiology visit.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[MKD]

If you come to Duke you can also schedule yourself to be seen by a diving physician in the hyperbaric clinic, probably on the same day as your cardiology visit.

Best regards,
DDM

Perfect, that is EXACTLY what I'm looking for! Will begin my research now.

 

[motorref]

DAN had sent me several referrals for the local area, but the closest one was in Frederick, MD; if I can find the email I'll send you the info.
I had bypass surgery in Feb at GWU Hospital, and the cardiologist was Dr Elizabeth Pocock, and she was very amenable to me diving again (until I broke my ankle,,,,). My normal cardiologist is Dr. Greg Kaufman of Cardiology Associates of Fredericksburg; myself and a local shop owner both use him, and he is aware of the
Bove study on Cardiovascular Disorders and Diving, and the "Exercise Intensity Inferred" study by Buzzacott; essentially they're saying that recreational divers do not need to attain 13 METS for diving (a minimum of 7 is recommended), but dive professionals, tech divers, etc., do need to attain this standard.
I'd be happy to send them to you, along with the list of cardiologists DAN recommended; I do know that Ralph (Clark, owner of Scuba Shack in Fredericksburg) used one of the doctors at Temple Univ.
Send me a PM if you want more info!

KevinL

Does anyone know of a cardiologist in the DC metro area that also knows about diving and cardiovascular issues? I requested names from DAN, but only one Dr. was referred back to me and his ratings online are marginal.

Echo test results are showing an ejection fraction of 40-45%, and a cardiac MRI reflects minimal hypokinesis at the LV apex. However, ejection fraction increases with exercise to 50-55%. I have never had any issues with diving, even up to depths of 100 ft., and fatigue on a daily basis but that has never caused issues with diving. Any thoughts, advice, or names of referral cardiologists would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[motorref]

Found it: Jeffrey N Cowen, Specialist in Cardiology and Hyperbaric Medicine; Frederick, MD 301-663-5790.
I've never used him, but he is the one that DAN recommended locally.
The ones in Durham that recommended are: John Jacob Freiberger (919-668-0005) and Richard Moon (919-684-6726)

HTH!
KevinL