Very Minor Heart Problem

[neel_the_one]

Im quite a noob when it becomes to medicals, medicine and that sort of stuff. However, about around 7 years ago i went to the hospital for a checkup and the doctor said that i have a minor heart problem. It is something to do with heart murmur but he insisted that it is very normal and alot of people have it. I have been back to the hospital twice in the last 7 years just to monitor the condition and the doctor said that it hasnt gone worse and that it remains "very minor". I asked him about the CAA Class 1 Medical but he didnt know the details about how he can apply my condition to the requirements. Will this stop me gaining my Class 1 Medical?

[Old Smokey]

Find a doctor who does CAA Class 1 Medicals, and tell him/her of your problem and that you are CONSIDERING a career in aviation. (I presume that you are not yet flying). Make it clear to the doctor that you are NOT submitting yourself for the medical, this is entirely a private preliminary visit to evaluate your ability to PLAN for an aviation career.

That puts you in a 'no jeopardy' situation, as it's not an official visit. If the results are favourable, then go for it!:ok:

Of course, if the results are unfavourable, then you have saved a lot of effort and money, and, at your age, able to re-plan your life.;)

There are thousands of Class 1 Medical holders "out there" who have very minor and non-threatening heart murmurs, so take heart, but remember that each individual case is different.

Best of Luck, and refreshing to see your responsible attitude.

Regards,

Old Smokey

[gingernut]

Murmurs are common, and sometimes (?usually) of no significance.

Without knowing the exact details, it's difficult to be specific, previous posts suggests pilots with innocent murmurs enjoy a career in aviation, but have to jump through a few more hoops than most.


In reality, this will mean that you'll probably need to have further independent investigations (Usually an "echocardiogram"- bit like an x-ray of the heart), which will make the process of obtaining a medical a little more convoluted and expensive than normal.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

My wife has a similar "problem". It cannot be detected with a stethoscope and was only revealed by another test she was having. Specialist said it was nothing to be concerned about and she'd probably had it all her life. Only people who got wound up were our travel health insurers who immediately upped my wife's premium by about 50%!