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Bill Melke
I had AVR about five years ago , before the AVR I was a SCUBA Diver. I would like to start diving again, does anyone have any experiance in this area.
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geebee
First off - Welcome to VR.com to another fellow Ohioan. We seem to have quite a few 
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I have a mechanical mitral valve and have had no problem with scuba diving. However, I am not a diver who goes very deep, nor do I dive very often.
I talked to a doctor a few years back who was a "deeper" diver than me (more than 100 feet) and he said he had occasional pressure bruising (he was on coumadin). I don't know if it was just him or something anyone on coumadin should watch.
I usually dive in the 25-50 feet range so I haven't had any problems.
I also don't know if AVR is different than MVR in this case.
.I have a mechanical mitral valve and have had no problem with scuba diving. However, I am not a diver who goes very deep, nor do I dive very often.
I talked to a doctor a few years back who was a "deeper" diver than me (more than 100 feet) and he said he had occasional pressure bruising (he was on coumadin). I don't know if it was just him or something anyone on coumadin should watch.
I usually dive in the 25-50 feet range so I haven't had any problems.
I also don't know if AVR is different than MVR in this case.
Ross
Well-known member
For what it's worth, my Cardiologist is a diver and he has no problem with people diving so long as they aren't going deep sea diving.
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Gemma
Hello Bill,
My boyfriend Jim has a mechanical aortic valve. When we saw his cardio a couple of months after the surgery and asked about limitations, his response was "do whatever you like, you can go scuba diving if you want to". Now, Jim isn't a scuba diver and I always thought it was an odd comment to make, but I knew it'd come in handy one day! Maybe if we ever go anywhere warm enough (the British sea isn't renowned for its warmth ) it could be something we'd look into trying.
Gemma.
My boyfriend Jim has a mechanical aortic valve. When we saw his cardio a couple of months after the surgery and asked about limitations, his response was "do whatever you like, you can go scuba diving if you want to". Now, Jim isn't a scuba diver and I always thought it was an odd comment to make, but I knew it'd come in handy one day! Maybe if we ever go anywhere warm enough (the British sea isn't renowned for its warmth
) it could be something we'd look into trying.Gemma.
inlaguna
Well-known member
I asked at my surgery timing and they said have at it.
I believe there are also cardiologists who specialize in the diving area too.
Dan
I believe there are also cardiologists who specialize in the diving area too.
Dan
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Bionic Valve Tim
Just wanted to add that my cardio and my surgeon both said "of course!" when I asked about scuba. I have a mechanical valve and a pacemaker...
Tim
Tim
Bionic Valve Tim said:
I've never scuba dived before. I used to snorkle when stationed on Guam and really enjoyed the sport. Haven't done much since then but always said I would like to try scuba.
I now have an AICD implant and my Cardio suggested I avoid any deep water sports where I could not wear a flotation device. He said if I received a ZAP while in deep water I would probably pass out and possibly drown. Guess the pacemaker is a little different.
May God Bless,
Danny
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Bionic Valve Tim
Yeah, I can't say I know anything about AICD's. The consensus on pacemakers and SCUBA (not to sidetrack the thread too much!) seems to be that it is a function of the underlying condition that necessitates the implant--if that condition precludes to from scuba, then don't do it; if that condition is unaffected by scuba, then no worries.
There is also the issue of water pressure affecting the pacer, but this is mostly a concern for very deep divers or older implants--the new models are pressure rated to cover recreational diving.
Definitely go with your cardio's advice on this stuff--a scuba dive is no time to have a cardiac event!
Tim
There is also the issue of water pressure affecting the pacer, but this is mostly a concern for very deep divers or older implants--the new models are pressure rated to cover recreational diving.
Definitely go with your cardio's advice on this stuff--a scuba dive is no time to have a cardiac event!
Tim
