Left Axis Deviation on ECG...

[tom775257]

Hi,. .I recieved a letter from the CAA telling me that I have a left axis deviation on my E.C.G. The letter says that this is a minor abnormality, and I shouldn't worry about it as it may be to do with my height and build (I am tall and heavy..) This was with regards to a class 2 medical, and doesn't cause a problem. Two questions: Does anyone know what a left axis deviation is, and secondly will this prohibit me from gaining a class 1?. .Many thanks for any info,. .Tom.

[Determined]

Here you go Tom:

<a href="http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=52&t=000701" target="_blank">http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=52&t=000701</a>

[tom775257]

hmmm...thanks for the link. So it seems that I possibly might still be able to get my class 1.. .Well I think I will get proper fit and healthy, then go for the class 1 (and hope for the best!) They found nothing else wrong with me in the class 2, at least my eyes are in good nick.... .Fingers and everything else crossed!. .Does anyone know the specifics of the situation where they find a left axis deviation. Is it as the linked thread suggested if a left axis deviation exists in isolation a class 1 can be given? Determined...did they find the initial result was incorrect after further tests...that you didn't have a left axis deviation, or did they prove that you had a left axis deviation, however it did not prohibit you from a class 1?. .Tom.

[ 12 February 2002: Message edited by: tom775257 ]</p>

[Determined]

Hi Tom,

they found it at the initial rest ECG then it didn't appear at all with the subsequent stress ECG. After another rest ECG, it was back. They said it wasn't a problem and I was issued a Class 1 with no restrictions. So it shouldn't be an issue for you. Good luck,

Determined.

[PushTo Shock]

I'm no ECG guru but my understanding is that left axis deviation occurs if there is a conduction deficit in part of the hearts electrical conduction system called the left bundle branch.

The books reckon' theres no problem indicated unless the QRS complex (the big spikey bits) are also significantly negative as well.

In short, if the boffins say you've nothing to worry about then you've nothing to worry about.

In fact...if you ever find yourself at a cardioligists ball with an ECG monitor handy then you have a pretty nifty party trick!

[Brakes to Park]

I have a left axis deviation which was discovered just prior to my joining the RAF 24 years ago. I was required to undergo some further tests at the RAF Central Medical Establishment and subsequently joined as aircrew with no further problems.

13 years ago I left to undertake a CAP 509 CPL/IR Course and obtained a Class 1 with no problems and no restrictions at all and have never had any problems with renewing my Class 1 (touch wood).

I too am 6'5" and very flat chested (male!!!)

[inverted flatspin]

I know a cardiologist very well and his opinion of the ECG is that it is a good diagnostic tool for people over forty who have other cardiac indicators, chest pain etc. It is in his opinion of little use to predict any cardiac event and of some but not a lot of use to show previous damage. To get a full picture of how the heart is running you have to do a full cardiac workup and even then it can be wrong. There are many documented cases ( a few are pilots ) who passed extensive cardiac testing only to suffer a cardiac arrest shortly afterwards, likewise there are even more cases of people who showed something minor on an ECG and are still in the land of the living many years later. It is quite possible that you may not even have left axis deviation and what's showing up on the trace is an error generated in the machine because of your build or other factors.

[tom775257]

hey,. .thanks for the replies, your making me feel alot better about things. Next to arrange the class 1!!. .cheers,. .tom.

[Go for 5, Get 3]

Tom,. .. .I too suffer from Right bundle branch block with left axis deviation. I joined RN 12 years ago and it was discovered in initial medical for aircrew. After investigation it was cleared, but I only found out about the condition some eight years later when sitting medical for RN divers course. So doctors were obviously not too concerned!. .. .After leaving the RN for civil ATCO, I was initially refused a class one medical on the grounds of this condition, and had to give proof of pre-exisiting condition (records from the Navy from original application) and undergo a 24hr tape test (records the heart via a small box attached by belt to waist). Unfortunately my medical records were incomplete, so in the end did not form part of the final analysis - thanks RN.. .. .I am relativley short, but with a muscular build and am a marathon runner. Despite my obvious fitness, the CAA needed these further tests to cover their own backs - if I keel over in ten years time and it results in an incident, they can at least prove that the condition was thourougly checked.. .. .It was a lengthy process - SRG would not at first refer me to a local doctor for the test, and he in turn would not arrange the test at a local hospital without the referral! The test itself was simple - you carry out your normal daily functions, but I had a day off work, so spent most of it in a state of rest - it may or may not have helped as the condition is always present, but I was of the opinion 'anything that might help has to be tried'!. .. .I was forunate that my fees were paid as I was employed by my present company - on condition that I passed the medical - but if you have to go through this process and pay yourself, expect to pay in the region of £240 for the extra tests (current as of Jan 2002).. .. .Good luck with it all!. . . . <small>[ 05 March 2002, 14:18: Message edited by: Go for 5, Get 3 ]</small>

[tom775257]

thanks for that.... .So it sounds like as long as the deviation isn't caused by something like a previous heart attack or other serious problem, as long as you are willing to jump through some CAA hoops, you can get your medical.. .I have been up to the medical library here at uni, and reading a bit about it, and from the info that didn't go straight over my head...one other possiblity in my case if I understand correctly: I have slightly raised blood pressure (OK for medical, but still on the high side of moderate) and a fairly high resting pulse rate probably due to my lack of fitness in general..(1 year as a computer tech, followed by being a uni student drinking too much.) This leads to the left ventrical in the heart which supplied blood to the aorta becomes thicker, as it does more work even at rest. This can lead to a left axis deviation also. Solution? Excercise, get my resting B.P. and pulse rate down, and hope that that will bulk up the right ventrical with the extra cardiovascualr work and normalise the electrical transfer, or due to lower resting work rate of the left ventrical; hope that it will reduce in muscle thickness.. .Well, I am afraid that is the limits of the knowledge of the few minutes with a text book. Please correct me if wrong, I could be talking rubbish..... .I guess the best way to solve a problem is first understanding it.. .Cheers all,. .Tom.. . . . <small>[ 06 March 2002, 14:33: Message edited by: tom775257 ]</small>