Implanted loop recorder and driving

[lilacy]

My partner has some dizzy spells and was admitted to hospital. They have been monitoring him but have said they can't find why they are happening and want him to have a loop recorder fitted. We are getting conflicting information regarding driving, he is just a bout to start a new job which involves a lot of driving. Does anyone have any information please

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Dear Lilacy

I think that you are already answering your own question.

Surly if your partner has bad enough dizziness spells to be admitted to hospital then I would find out more before driving and if it was safe to.

I could not imagine a loved one in this position and I would worry myself sick if they were out driving, especially alone, not only for their safety but also for others.

I hope that you find out the answers soon

Take care

[ParrotLover22]

Hello. What is your Partner's Blood Pressure? I used to have frequent Dizzy Spells and occasional Fainting Episodes as my BP would drop so low. I am not at all Medically Qualified but this Post reminded me of how I used to be! Just a thought!

[crhyswilliams]

I know not the same, but I was fitted with an ICD in August. Having spoken to people at the hospital, I expected to have to stop driving for between 1-3 months. When I got out of hospital I did the responsible thing and reported it to the DVLA. They cancelled my license there and then and said I had to re-apply in 6 months. It's shit, but probably for the best.

[Schora1]

I had a loop recorder fitted in 2017 due to palpitations and continued driving both for work and pleasure.

If the dizzy spells are severe it’s probably best not to drive anyway.

Your cardiologist or GP should be able to advise re DVLA .

[fishonabike]

This will probably sound very harsh, but it is something we may all need to think about at some time:

I can understand your partner's difficulty, I have been in a similar situation myself, but whatever the DVLA may say he should consider carefully whether driving, when knows he could experience incapacitating dizzy spells unexpectedly, is a responsible action

his safety is important but he may also be risking the lives and well being of other road users and pedestrians

I suspect that his insurers would decline any claim made if your partner drives knowing this - and how would he feel if his actions affected others? Has your partner informed his car insurers that he has this condition and of the medication he takes? they can refuse to settle any claim if he has failed to do this - that includes claims made against him - this happened to my brother and it caused him huge expense and worry.

I really understand that this puts you and your partner in a difficult position but these are important and life-affecting issues

[Stanley18]

I drove 260 miles the day before my first blackout. I was instructed by A&E not to drive. A loop recorder then discovered heart pauses. I thank my lucky stars that I didn’t lose consciousness on the M1.

I suggest that you push the hospital to fit the device and analyse the results if that is indeed the next step. I appreciate that the nature of his work puts your partner in a difficult situation.

[Beejaysee]

I know this is really difficult for you but I would stop driving and have the loop recorder fitted asap - it could save his life as it tells the experts exactly what’s happening when he has “dizzy spells”. In my case, I blacked out without warning twice at home (months apart) and had all usual heart tests but they were inconclusive because the blackouts happened when I wasn’t connected to Holter monitor or ecg at the time.

After my second blackout, the cardio said I shouldn’t drive, climb ladders or use power tools until they knew why I was blacking out - and that I should tell the DVLA and my car insurance company, which I did and, importantly, followed his advice. He then fitted a loop recorder and, a month later, I blacked out on the motorway - fortunately as the front seat passenger and not the driver! It could have been catastrophic - for me and other road users.

The loop recorder confirmed that I was having complete heart blocks (heart stopping for up to 30 seconds) and I was taken to A&E that day and had my pacemaker fitted.

The DVLA said I could drive again after 7 days if my doctor said I was okay and my insurance company said the same. 8 months later I’m as good as ever and no blackouts and no restrictions on driving etc.

Good luck to you both