hensylee
Well-known member
Buzz, do I remember you posting about your FAA exam some time back? Welcome to VR - it's a great place to be when you need knowledge or just a smile. You belong to the family now, you know. God bless
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Buzz Lanning
Well-known member
FAA Exam
FAA Exam
Hensylee,
I've never made a post on this website until yesterday, however, I did make a few posts on the ross procedure site. Anyway, I'm sure glad I had the exam; or I could still be unaware of my condition (especially since I'm still symptom free).
One thing that has puzzled me over the last few years was the time it took to discover my aortic insufficiency (congenital bicuspid valve). I had visited several different FAA doctors over the last 20 years to renew my medical certificate. Not one of these doctors detected a murmur of any kind. This includes all the physicals I've had with my primary care physician. Then all of a sudden, bang; I've got moderate to severe regurgitation with an enlarged left ventricle (and the cardiologist noticed the murmur right away). It was obvious this situation didn't happen overnight, especially since my condition hasn't changed too much over the last 3 years. I guess those diastolic murmurs are very quiet, but . . .
Thanks for the note and support!
Buzz
FAA Exam
Hensylee,
I've never made a post on this website until yesterday, however, I did make a few posts on the ross procedure site. Anyway, I'm sure glad I had the exam; or I could still be unaware of my condition (especially since I'm still symptom free).
One thing that has puzzled me over the last few years was the time it took to discover my aortic insufficiency (congenital bicuspid valve). I had visited several different FAA doctors over the last 20 years to renew my medical certificate. Not one of these doctors detected a murmur of any kind. This includes all the physicals I've had with my primary care physician. Then all of a sudden, bang; I've got moderate to severe regurgitation with an enlarged left ventricle (and the cardiologist noticed the murmur right away). It was obvious this situation didn't happen overnight, especially since my condition hasn't changed too much over the last 3 years. I guess those diastolic murmurs are very quiet, but . . .
Thanks for the note and support!
Buzz
R
rcatalano
Buzz,
My aortic insufficiency (bicuspid aortic valve) wasn't detected until I was 22 years old. By that time, I had been in the navy for over 4 years and had passed 2 navy flight physicals. When I finally got into navy flight school, thats when they detected my murmur. They said I never should have been accepted into the navy, much less get into flight school. They had me doing jumping jacks to get my heart rate up so they could hear it better. They also had me visit a cardiology class so all the student doctors could hear my murmur - very embarassing.
Since I already owed the navy 5 years payback, they said I could float around on ships but couldn't fly. So the murmur ended my flying career on its first day. 9 years later I needed AVR surgery, that ended my navy career.
A few years ago I heard about an Air Force pilot who had a valve replaced and they eventually put him back into full flight status: Aortic valve replacement in a United States Air Force pilot
My aortic insufficiency (bicuspid aortic valve) wasn't detected until I was 22 years old. By that time, I had been in the navy for over 4 years and had passed 2 navy flight physicals. When I finally got into navy flight school, thats when they detected my murmur. They said I never should have been accepted into the navy, much less get into flight school. They had me doing jumping jacks to get my heart rate up so they could hear it better. They also had me visit a cardiology class so all the student doctors could hear my murmur - very embarassing.
Since I already owed the navy 5 years payback, they said I could float around on ships but couldn't fly. So the murmur ended my flying career on its first day. 9 years later I needed AVR surgery, that ended my navy career.
A few years ago I heard about an Air Force pilot who had a valve replaced and they eventually put him back into full flight status: Aortic valve replacement in a United States Air Force pilot
Buzz Lanning
Well-known member
Navy & AI
Navy & AI
Rob,
Wow; what a disappointment not to make flight school! Sorry.
Even today, the family physician needs a more accurate way to diagnosis valvular heart disease sooner (i.e., during a routine exam). In my case, being placed on medication a decade earlier might have delayed my TBD surgery further into the future . . .
Buzz
Navy & AI
Rob,
Wow; what a disappointment not to make flight school! Sorry.
Even today, the family physician needs a more accurate way to diagnosis valvular heart disease sooner (i.e., during a routine exam). In my case, being placed on medication a decade earlier might have delayed my TBD surgery further into the future . . .
Buzz
K
Karlynn
Buzz,
My "heart murmur" was heard when I was 7 years old. Back in '65 there wasn't much they could do to accurately diagnose what it was, other than it seemed like not such a big deal. After a year or so, the murmur disappeared, only to show up again when I was 22 and I had no symptoms at the time. By that time, it was much easier to diagnose.
I was pretty physically debilitated when I finally had my replacement done and it took quite a while to recover fully. I would echo the advice that you not wait too long. If you find yourself slowing down, it's time to think about the replacement.
best wishes,
Karlynn
My "heart murmur" was heard when I was 7 years old. Back in '65 there wasn't much they could do to accurately diagnose what it was, other than it seemed like not such a big deal. After a year or so, the murmur disappeared, only to show up again when I was 22 and I had no symptoms at the time. By that time, it was much easier to diagnose.
I was pretty physically debilitated when I finally had my replacement done and it took quite a while to recover fully. I would echo the advice that you not wait too long. If you find yourself slowing down, it's time to think about the replacement.
best wishes,
Karlynn
