Diving with AFIB

[djpeteski]

So I developed AFib at 58 years old, had an ablation that did not quite work and had to be converted medically.

The advice from DAN is to never dive again.

The advice from my EP (Electrophysiologist) is don't get cut, bleed, attract a shark, and get bit. (He was being funny, basically I am cleared for all activities.)

Anyone else dive with AFib? Thoughts please.

 

[pdwh]

I had it, but my ablation worked and I'm not on blood thinners. So I'm not divong with afib but I have a risk of recurrence. Your risk is a TIA or a stroke which are bad enough on the surface, but could be fatal while diving.

I wear a smart watch to monitor my heart rate 24x7, and I specifically got a Garmin fenix 8 because it'll do it while diving and provides a backup dive computer. If the afib recurs, I'll stop diving until I get it figured out.

I've thought a lot about the risk because I could easily be where you are in a couple of years. I've considered a full face mask and only diving with buddies who've had rescue diver class, but the more I think about it, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that risk.

 

[Pi_grim]

Got diagnosed on my 50th birthday. I’ve had two cardioversions and less than a year ago had the ablation. Taken off all meds a couple of months ago. Going on a three tank charter here in a few minutes.

 

[MB NZ]

As per another thread. I've had episodes of it in the past. Once on a dive. It makes me feel lightheaded and short of breath. Not what you want to be feeling when you're underwater. Luckily for me, it went away through lifestyle change. I would never choose to dive in AF, but I know that it can affect people differently. I am a doctor, but not a cardiologist or diving doctor.

 

[emoreira]

I suffered AFIB in 2014 and had an electrical cardioversion 3 days after the occurrence of the event. I'm taking 2.5 mg Bisoprolol per day for ever.
I was cleared for diving after 6 months. I do a yearly study to monitor my heart and had no further event.

 

[rgkv]

I have been told I have Atrial Flutter.. DAN, states no diving, Diving doc said, dont take the heart pill, dont go below 60 ft, keep you eye on your heart beat, if it goes back up, then back on the pill. I had almost given up on diving till I read some posts here.. I have applied for ablation , hope to hear from that doc in a month or so for acceptance interview.

 

[boulderjohn]

I know people who have dived for years with A-FIB with the full approval of dive-savvy cardiologists.

 

[pdwh]

I have been told I have Atrial Flutter.. DAN, states no diving, Diving doc said, dont take the heart pill, dont go below 60 ft, keep you eye on your heart beat, if it goes back up, then back on the pill. I had almost given up on diving till I read some posts here.. I have applied for the Albation , hope to hear from that doc in a month or so for acceptence interview.

Get yourself a good smartwatch that can do an ECG - it allows you to check for afib because for many, it's intermittent.

I have a Garmin fenix 8. I wear it all the time to monitor stuff, but it also serves as a backup dive computer AND records my heart rate while I'm diving (as long as I wear it under the wetsuit against my skin). So far, since the ablation, no recurrence of the atrial fibrillation.

 

[rgkv]

I know people who have dived for years with A-FIB with the full approval of dive-savvy cardiologists.

I have been to see a diving specialist in Toronto, when I mentioned who I saw at the dive shop, owner said that is the doc they recommend, best in the biz. He is the one who said dont go below 60 ft.