rusty_y2k2
12th Sep 2018, 23:36
Hi chaps,
Hoping someone can shed some light and perhaps put my mind at ease (or not!?). Long story short, been flying commercially for 10 years, I'm 35 years old and reasonably fit - I try to run at least a few times a week for between 30mins to 1hr, though of course some weeks are better than others, and do the occasional weights etc. I don't have any symptoms or manifest problems that I am aware of and can happily run 5 miles in 45mins without stopping or becoming too short of breath. 2 years ago I had to do the first ECG in a while (previous to that it was 5 yearly), and it came up with non-specific T-wave abnormalities. AME referred me to a specialist and he recommended that had I not done one previously, I should do an exercise ECG.
I went and did said exercise ECG and there were no signs of the problem. Dr suggested could be positional or otherwise temporary... all signed off and no issue.
Fast forward to now, and I've just had to do my medical renewal with the regular 2 yearly ECG. Once again I have T-wave abnormality and the AME sent off to the specialist again. Just got a reply that "ECG changes have evolved further" and that he is advising a cardiac MRI which I will need to do within the next 2 months.
So not being a medical person, cardiac MRI sounds quite ominous. I do have BUPA for now so hoping to be able to get the costs mostly covered through that and I'm not particularly concerned about dropping dead tomorrow, but is this something I need to be concerned about as regards my future career? As a husband and now also a father to a 1 year old child, the prospect of medical suspensions/loss is more terrifying than previously.
I understand of course that without all the details any advice here will be generic and vague, but would appreciate any input.
Thanks
Hoping someone can shed some light and perhaps put my mind at ease (or not!?). Long story short, been flying commercially for 10 years, I'm 35 years old and reasonably fit - I try to run at least a few times a week for between 30mins to 1hr, though of course some weeks are better than others, and do the occasional weights etc. I don't have any symptoms or manifest problems that I am aware of and can happily run 5 miles in 45mins without stopping or becoming too short of breath. 2 years ago I had to do the first ECG in a while (previous to that it was 5 yearly), and it came up with non-specific T-wave abnormalities. AME referred me to a specialist and he recommended that had I not done one previously, I should do an exercise ECG.
I went and did said exercise ECG and there were no signs of the problem. Dr suggested could be positional or otherwise temporary... all signed off and no issue.
Fast forward to now, and I've just had to do my medical renewal with the regular 2 yearly ECG. Once again I have T-wave abnormality and the AME sent off to the specialist again. Just got a reply that "ECG changes have evolved further" and that he is advising a cardiac MRI which I will need to do within the next 2 months.
So not being a medical person, cardiac MRI sounds quite ominous. I do have BUPA for now so hoping to be able to get the costs mostly covered through that and I'm not particularly concerned about dropping dead tomorrow, but is this something I need to be concerned about as regards my future career? As a husband and now also a father to a 1 year old child, the prospect of medical suspensions/loss is more terrifying than previously.
I understand of course that without all the details any advice here will be generic and vague, but would appreciate any input.
Thanks