Possible effects of pressure on my heart

[dschonbrun]

That you are highly athletic bodes well for a medical release. Exertion levels in rugby and swimming are typically far higher than in scuba (assuming you aren't hiking 100lb gear to a remote locale). The standard echo or TEE if performed by a cardiologist should resolve your concerns. Truthfully, it's good to have the heart checked as part of your annual physical anyway. In my case, that includes an echo.

 

[rawls]

Reading TS&M's posts will expand your vocabulary after a while

What vocabulary...I grew up in the South y'all, dang blame it...

 

[nereas]

I believe I prefer Windsor English to either NYC Yiddish or Southern USA slang.

Although I must admit that I find "y'all" and "all of y'all" fascinating concoctions.

 

[Teamcasa]

Schelp = carrying gear. I know this because I am my lovely brides dive sherpa!

 

[drbill]

The advice to see a cardiologist or other MD with diving knowledge is the best way to answer your question. I'm not a doctor, I only play one in my TV show and here on SB. Besides, my heart is of stone and incompressible.

 

[DiveDiva_Ashley]

I was diagnosed with a heart murmur/leaky valve when I was 16 and have been diving for about 4 years (I am now 23). When I signed up for OW, one of the first questions they asked me was if I had any heart or lung problems and I had to be checked out before they would allow me to proceed with even the bookwork.
My cardiologist ran an EKG, Echocardiogram, and hooked me up to a haltermometer for a couple days to be see if it had gotton any worse since I was diagnosed with it and determine how it would affect me me I tried to dive. Anyways, long story short- I was cleared to go. Of course, they said if I ever have any pains while diving to abort the dive, but that has never been a problem for me during a dive. If anything, I'm more relaxed when diving than doing anything else so I've convinced myself it's good for my heart. )
Just be sure to have a cardiologist check you out though to make sure you're good to go before you do it. Your life is a valuable thing to gamble with and you'd rather be safe than sorry. Good luck!

 

[rawls]

What's Yiddish for haulin' ass...

 

[vladimir]

I believe I prefer Windsor English to either NYC Yiddish or Southern USA slang.

Then hopefully you can find somebody to teach it to you.

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

I'm a cardiologist and agree with everything said above. A "murmur" can be from a whole multitude of things ranging from the completely benign to extremely serious. You need to see a cardiologist and probably get an echocardiogram to better evaluate the murmur given your young age and active lifestyle. From a diving perspective, your "fitness to dive" depends on the cause of the murmur. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions or with your echo results if I can be of any help.

Doug

 

[nereas]

Looks like it is time to rack up (Chicago wasp slang from billiards) a huge medical bill for scuba !