What Heart Condition...

[wandernsoul]

The PFO, or ASD as it was referred to (which from what I'm reading is a type of PFO, I think??) was determined to be as big as it was by doing a cardiac catheterization. I had a new doc when I was going into nursing school, and he noted the murmur. He ordered a chest xray, which showed an enlargement of the blood vessels in my heart and lungs. Sooooo, off I went for a cardiac catheterization. And another 'funny' story. The catheter is usually threaded up through the groin, so I got a shave. Great. Well, they get me in the cath lab and tell me they don't know this particular doc's technique, so they shave the OTHER side as well. OUCH. And THEN, the doc comes in and decides to GO THROUGH MY ARM!!!! And just as things are starting to grow back, I went in for the surgery and basically had a BODY SHAVE. Makes me nervous just thinking about it again!
Lots and lots of people have murmurs, and most are benign. I had always been very athletic in high school, but started getting very winded and unable to keep up. I just thought I was out of shape. I had the surgery when I was 21, and since then I've been able to do whatever I want..... I probably would have had a heart attack by now had I not had it done. And best of all, I can DIVE!!!

 

[Patrice]

I'm also having difficulty getting a definite answer from my doctors regarding the dangers of diving with my heart condition. I just found out that I have an atrial septal aneurysm with no sign of a PFO. One dr. says it's okay to dive, another says no way. I'd hate to give up diving, but I'd also like to be around to see grandkids! I'm a 53 year old female, athletic, and with excellent health (other than this "condition"). Does any one else out there have experience with this???

Thanks!