Desperate for advice

[Hippocampus01]

I have recently discovered, during my voluntary biennial cardio check, that I have developed frequent pvcs, reason unknown.


I live in a country where my native English is not the first language, and although I have every faith in my cardiologist, I have a bit of a job understanding everything, particularly in relation to scuba as he doesn’t seem to understand it.

Although I am 62, I am fighting fit apart from this new diagnosis, slim, very well exercised, no meds etc., and I live for my frequent dive trips.

As I have naturally a very low pulse rate, I cannot be treated with drugs, and he has recommended ablation.

I have two very expensive dive trips booked for October and December. My questions are, should I be diving, and how soon after the ablation could I get back in the water ie when should I plan to have the procedure. I have had a holter test, during which I went for a good workout, and the pvcs disappear during aerobic exercise, and I can produce a normal ecg when completely relaxed.

Sorry to post such a complicated thread, but I have no access to either a cardiologist with dive knowledge nor a dive doctor with detailed cardio knowledge. Please can anyone help.

 

[tbone1004]

@Hippocampus01 unfortunately no one on this forum is going to be able to answer that question for you. Your best bet is to contact DAN
DAN Europe - Contacts

They will be able to refer you to a local doctor who will be able to help you better.

 

[Hippocampus01]

I have recently discovered, during my voluntary biennial cardio check, that I have developed frequent pvcs, reason unknown.


I live in a country where my native English is not the first language, and although I have every faith in my cardiologist, I have a bit of a job understanding everything, particularly in relation to scuba as he doesn’t seem to understand it.

Although I am 62, I am fighting fit apart from this new diagnosis, slim, very well exercised, no meds etc., and I live for my frequent dive trips.

As I have naturally a very low pulse rate, I cannot be treated with drugs, and he has recommended ablation.

I have two very expensive dive trips booked for October and December. My questions are, should I be diving, and how soon after the ablation could I get back in the water ie when should I plan to have the procedure. I have had a holter test, during which I went for a good workout, and the pvcs disappear during aerobic exercise, and I can produce a normal ecg when completely relaxed.

Sorry to post such a complicated thread, but I have no access to either a cardiologist with dive knowledge nor a dive doctor with detailed cardio knowledge. Please can anyone help.

 

[Saniflush]

You might also look in this forum Diving Medicine or make this post there.

 

[Hippocampus01]

I have searched every scuba medical site I can find but any info seems to relate to slightly different arrhythmias to mine, or ones that can be treated with drugs. My problem with approaching DAN is that I do not want to rock the boat with my insurance for my upcoming holidays. If I hadn’t gone for the checkup I wouldn’t even know I had a problem. I also think that a diving cardiologist in this tiny country would be unlikely.

 

[tbone1004]

I have searched every scuba medical site I can find but any info seems to relate to slightly different arrhythmias to mine, or ones that can be treated with drugs. My problem with approaching DAN is that I do not want to rock the boat with my insurance for my upcoming holidays. If I hadn’t gone for the checkup I wouldn’t even know I had a problem. I also think that a diving cardiologist in this tiny country would be unlikely.

part of the problem with diagnosing remotely is the liability involved if something goes wrong. They can't know if those extra beats are from you drinking too much wine the night before, that you took a bunch of benadryl or decongestants because you had a cold, have heart disease, or the eleventy-thousand other reasons that your heart beats abnormally.

 

[Hippocampus01]

I am not looking for a diagnosis, I already have that, just advice on when to plan the procedure and whether I ought to be diving. I know that many very experienced dive doctors use this forum including at least one cardiologist.

 

[tbone1004]

I am not looking for a diagnosis, I already have that, just advice on when to plan the procedure and whether I ought to be diving. I know that many very experienced dive doctors use this forum including at least one cardiologist.

Even then I doubt they'll be able to say much without seeing you

 

[Hippocampus01]

Where’s the harm in trying.

 

[tbone1004]

Where’s the harm in trying.

was just trying to prepare you for when you don't get a response. You also specifically mentioned not contacting DAN because of your insurance concerns, why would any doctor go out on a limb and do that? Liability is too high. Your best bet is to get the recommendation from your local doctor, find a translator if you need one, and contact DAN. You don't have to give them your name or any identification to ask questions. They will normally have a "general" guideline for most procedures followed by "listen to your doctor" which may be 6 weeks, or 6 months