I'm DONE!

[TekDiveGirl]

If you are sure you want to dive -- see a doctor with diving experience. Not just any doctor. Doctors will all err on the side of caution and tell you not to do things that they think will possibly be problematic. So if a doctors knows nothing about the risks of a heart murmor and diving - he will likey say no right off the bat without doing a bit of research - you can not dive with one.

Do your own research - be your own advocate. Trust me on this one - you can not expect your doctor to be the smartest one in the room with regards to your condition. I learned that the hard way this last year.

Hang tough - you can make it!

Keeping you in my prayers!

Kimber

 

[HawaiiLover]

Hi Kimber, that's right about 2 different doctors who can or can't scubadiving. I'm going to look at the yellow pages for the scubadiving plus DAN. Hopefully I can able to scubadiving sooner.

Thank you for the advise, I appreciate that.

BTW, my husband had 4 open heart bypass in 1993. Now he is doing great, but he never scubadiving. As he is a coward. I'm glad I can able.

Hopefully soon I can go back in water sooner!

Here in Indiana have the scubadiving business so I probably go there and talk with someone. Not too soon. Maybe next or two months later. I need to spend time with my family first.

God bless you,
Take care,
Kj

 

[CBulla]

I inquired about this very thing for a friend who was interested in diving and had a heart mummur - An inquiry with DAN said that he was generally OK to do so. I believe that each case is different though, and a short phone call to them with the details of your condition should get you the answer you seek, and if someone can't advise you on the phone, you'll be referred to a specialist who can.

 

[fmw625]

A friend of mine from childhood, has had a heart murmer since he was very young. He's 48 now, a long distance runner, and a Karate Competition trophy holder. If he can do things like that, depending on the severity of your heart murmer, you might get to continue diving.

 

[freefall2]

I dive with a heart condition. I have AV Modal Reentrant Tachycardia and am on medication. My cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic told me I must stay active and didn't rule out scuba diving although he told me I should give up skydiving - not for my heart but just because he thinks it's crazy. I also run, play tennis, waterski, freedive.
Every case is different. I always get another opinion if the first one isn't what I want to hear!!!

 

[ShakaZulu]

Most people have heart problems, they just don't know it yet. First Degree AV block dewd here. Hey what a way to go........enjoy diving.

 

[Kayla]

Hey there. I'm sorry to hear that you have been delayed in diving, but I think that there has been some great advice given here. All I can do is just re-enforce the importance of calling DAN and talking to them about whats going on with you.

As far as ScubaBoard goes, I hope that you will continue to come here, because dicing or not, if its in your heart, we want you here!

If you ever need someone to talk to... send me a PM, and we can chat!

Good luck, your in my prayers!


Kayla

 

[skeet]

Dont give up yet, take all there advice, and make sure you go down kicking and screaming.

 

[lragsac]

If you are sure you want to dive -- see a doctor with diving experience. Not just any doctor. Doctors will all err on the side of caution and tell you not to do things that they think will possibly be problematic. So if a doctors knows nothing about the risks of a heart murmor and diving - he will likey say no right off the bat without doing a bit of research - you can not dive with one.

Do your own research - be your own advocate. Trust me on this one - you can not expect your doctor to be the smartest one in the room with regards to your condition. I learned that the hard way this last year.

I agree with you on this one. It is SO important to get educated on one's condition. This will allow you to have better communication with your physician and to ask more pointed questions. This will allow you to make an informed decision as to what YOU want to do, that is, just take one doctor's advice without question, or get a second, or even third opinion. HawaiiLover, there is a wealth of information from reliable sources on the internet--check out the American Heart Assn., the American College of Cardiology (www.acc.org), the Cleveland Clinic, etc. Just do a google search and try not to get overwhelmed. You may find that you want to go back to your doctor and get more information on the nature of your heart murmur based on his/her original examination. There are different "grades" that indicate severity, for example. Best of luck to you.

 

[Rick Inman]

Be careful about getting second opinions... The last time I asked my doctor for one he said: "OK, you're ugly too!"

I told my doctor,"It hurts right here."
He said, "OK, take off you clothes, face away from the window and bend over."
I did, then got dressed and said, "So, did you figure out whats wrong with me?"
"No," he said. "I'm mad at my neighbor."

--------------------------------------------

But seriously, I agree, call Dan. And if you can't dive, Hawaii is a great place to snorkle!