Advice on diving after HA and Stent f... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

54,323 members33,993 posts

Advice on diving after HA and Stent fitment...

TheBigHonree profile image
18 Replies

Hello All,

I'm after any info/advice on starting to learn scuba diving after HA and stent fitment.

2 and a half months since this happened and I am wondering if diving is a definite no no forever or if it is something I can do in the long term.

Thanks all,

Simon

Written by
TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies
jimmyq profile image
jimmyq

On holiday once I set out for Scuba Diving lessons. When the instructor saw my chest scar he said that I had no chance and turned me away. I suspect that you may need a letter from your doctor.

TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree in reply tojimmyq

Yeah that's what i was thinking.

I do know our hospital has the countries leading diver working there as a consultant, in what I do not know, I think my cardiology consultant is going to refer me to him specifically for this but I wanted to know if anyone else had had any personal experience so thank you for that Jimmy 👍🏼.

Simon

jimmyq profile image
jimmyq in reply toTheBigHonree

Forgot to mention that I have had 4 CABGs.

TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree in reply tojimmyq

Right, that may make a bit of a difference, still good to get your experience though.👍🏼

Scout2017 profile image
Scout2017

Hi Simon - I’m a diving instructor and have just had two stents fitted following a heart attack a fortnight ago. Have been looking at sites like DAN and DDRC for info and it seems a return to diving may be possible if I can pass an exercise tolerance test with no ECG anomalies, maybe in 6 months to a year’s time. Likely to be some restrictions on depth and environment but I’ll take that. Certainly no one in their right mind would touch either of us with a barge pole without proper clearance from a diving doc. Good luck! Bill

TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree in reply toScout2017

Thanks for that bill, hopefully I will get a referral to a consultant who is also one of the lead divers in the country and get this nailed down.

I would like to train up to instructor level but that may not be possible however just being able to get in the water and get down there would be a great thing for me.👍🏼

Kimkat profile image
Kimkat

I would imagine the best person to ask is your cardiologist, I wouldn’t be taking anyone else’s advice as everyone is different.

TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree in reply toKimkat

My cardiologist wasn't sure in regards to diving but has now referred my to one of his consultant colleagues who is one of the leading divers in the country who actually deals with these issues so I'm now just waiting for the referral date.👍🏼👍🏼

Simon

Mike424u profile image
Mike424u

I had a HA and 6 stents, I'm a PADI open water diver, I have been asking if I can go back to it at some point. this is what I found out to date, yes it is a possibility, but I would need to have a medical by an approved dive doctor. My own GP would not be able to do this. And if I pass a medical exam, I then get a certificate that last for 1 year.

Doing some checks, I found this, ukdmc.org/medical-referees

Everything you need know is on this site, all types of medical conditions, and also a map with diving doctors to diffeent areas in the uk.

Individuals who have suffered a myocardial infarction are permitted to resume diving by the UKSDMC if they satisfy the following criteria:

1. They have no cardiac symptoms or evidence of silent ischemia when off all cardiac medication (although lipid lowering drugs and antiplatelet agents are permitted). Use of beta-blockers will be considered on an individual basis provided they are used for secondary prevention and there is no evidence of resulting airway obstruction.

2. They can satisfactorily perform a treadmill exercise test, achieving a good workload (for age, sex and build) with a normal heart rate and blood pressure response, without evidence of ischaemia on a 12-lead ECG. They will usually be expected to achieve at least 9 minutes (3 stages) of the Bruce protocol (or equivalent).

3. There is little residual myocardial dysfunction.

4. They will not be permitted to dive with novice divers in future, but must dive with experienced companions who should be aware of the condition and who can render assistance if required.

5. Limitations on depth, severity and conditions of dives may be imposed.

6. Fitness to dive will be reviewed annually irrespective of the diver’s age, but should symptoms recur between medical examinations, the diver must cease diving until reviewed.

I have spoken to my local dive doctor in Bristol, and I can not get a medial until a min of 6 month post treatment if not 1 year. Which is a shame as Im fitter now than when I was 40 and I go keep fit every week and walk miles. I will see what happens after six months, and report back if I manage to get back to scuba diving, even if is at reduced depth or times.

TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree in reply toMike424u

Mike

Thank you for that, my cardiologist is actually now referring me to another consultant that works at our hospital who is one of the leading divers in the country so hopefully I can get a plan to conduct the above that you have mentioned in order to begin diving at whatever level that may be.👍🏼

Simon

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

Don't forget to keep your insurance company informed

TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree in reply toIanc2

Ian,

I have already informed my insurance si I'm good to go in that respect.

Simon

Mike424u profile image
Mike424u

Dr Mark Turner is the top guy in my area, he works in Bristol

TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree in reply toMike424u

Always good to know there's someone with very specific knowledge in your area.👍🏼

Mike424u profile image
Mike424u

Good luck with the medical, if anyone else happens to pass the diving medical go diving again let us all know please.

Phil-52 profile image
Phil-52

I've had a quad bypass and also wanted to know if it was ok to dive. My surgeon just advised me not to dive too deep.

NathanBlau profile image
NathanBlau

Scout2917 and Mike424U are, in my opinion, absolutely correct and what they say mirrors exactly my experience.

I have to say however that BSAC are somewhat more rigorous in their demands for a return to diving whilst PADI seem to want little more than a letter starting that a Doctor deems you to be fit enough! Personally I would be cautious about the latter approach as I do want the confidence that I will not have another heart attack in the dark or at 30 metres - a guranteeed recipe for an early demise!

At different times (I think it had to be 12 months post HA) I did a “bleep test” and then a later treadmill test to ensure I could reach the necessary score on the Bruce protocol.

I passed the necessary tests and returned to diving but with stated restrictions on water temperature - happy with that as I have no real desire to dive in UK anyway! You might want to bear in mind that I have been diving many years and the information I have related to a return to diving and not just starting.

Best of luck with you diving ambitions

TheBigHonree profile image
TheBigHonree in reply toNathanBlau

Thanks for that Nathan, appreciate the info.

I can only wait and see now.

Simon

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Swimming and Diving

My husband had two stents fitted in January and wondering if anyone has any experience of diving...

Stent after stent after stent

I’ve had one stent fitted nearly two weeks ago and I’m trying to get over obstacles one by one and...
Buffy6956 profile image

45 HA and Stent Fitted

Hi I'm 45 coming up to 46, had severe back and arm pain, turns out i had 96% blockage , ended up...
Mattd_UK profile image

Feeling sick after having HA and having Stent fitted

After having a stent fitted after a HA 3 weeks ago, I was discharged with the normal drugs to...
busybee64 profile image

Medication after HA

Firstly as an ex scientist who worked in the pharmaceutical industry after university a long time...

Moderation team

See all
HUModerator profile image
HUModeratorAdministrator
Luke_BHF profile image
Luke_BHFPartner
Amy-BHF profile image
Amy-BHFPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.