valve replacement and diving

[ctdiver]

In the last two months I`ve had an aortic valve replacement, with
my new diet and exercise I feel allmost normal. My problem is I don`t want to give up diving. I`m confused with all the pros and cons that are present on the inter net. I`m hoping that someone
out there with my same problem can answer some of my questions.

 

[Stone]

. . . to the board.

Did you get a pig valve or mechanical?

 

[BillP]

Howdy ctdiver:

Welcome to Scubaboard! There are a couple of issues to keep in mind regarding heart valve surgery and diving.

First is the condition of the heart and the valve. Injury to the heart from before the valve was repaired or any associated cardiac disease can limit exercise capacity and interfere with diving. Also, the level of function of the heart and the valve after the surgery needs to be taken into consideration.

Second, it's not unusual for people who have had heart surgery and valve replacement to be on medications that can affect their ability to dive. Anticoagualants ("blood thinners") would be one example.

Any individual's ability to dive after heart valve surgery would depend on their current status as determined by their physician.

You can read a bit on what DAN has to say about heart valve surgery at:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=65

Scubadoc has something to say on the matter at:

http://www.scuba-doc.com/cvsrg.htm

You can read about some medications and diving on Scubadoc's website at:

http://www.scuba-doc.com/drugsdiv.htm

HTH,

Bill

The above information is intended for discussion purposes only and is not meant as specific medical advice for any individual.

 

[ScubaJorgen]

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, etc etc :nosmilie:

I wonder :really: how regurgitation (leakage) of the valve means any trouble for diving. Of course it reduces the efficiency of the heart, which is no good, especially in diving. I do not think it would increase probability for the bends, like PFO does for example... If the diver should take precautions about the level of excercise, I wonder if diving would still be possible.

BTW, I would be very, very careful :frownshk: with diving. See BillP's remarks....