Heart Murmurs
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: metz, france
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Well today the axe has fallen for me. After 20 years of medicals, they foung something on the ECG. So I have lost the FAA and Canadian licenses.
Seems like I have a skipping beat that has to be investigated further. So I did the ultra sound, another ECG and a stress test. everything was or is fine. Then they attached a machine with probes that recorded everything for 24 hours. Due the the results of this, they could not issue another medical. Now the file has been sent to OKA and they will advise........great!
The docs said that I might need a pill called a "beta blocker"!
If there are any docs here, or if any one had simmilar experiences, please inform me ....
Seems like I have a skipping beat that has to be investigated further. So I did the ultra sound, another ECG and a stress test. everything was or is fine. Then they attached a machine with probes that recorded everything for 24 hours. Due the the results of this, they could not issue another medical. Now the file has been sent to OKA and they will advise........great!
The docs said that I might need a pill called a "beta blocker"!
If there are any docs here, or if any one had simmilar experiences, please inform me ....
alapt: beta blockers attempt to regulate the flow of adrenaline which may affect your heart's rhythmn. You cannot fly single pilot a/c with this medication, but you should be fine for multi crew. Which aviation authority are you under?
Get a second opinion: ALWAYS!
Get a second opinion: ALWAYS!
Join Date: Jan 2000
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Thanx TC. I recieved the exact terms from the Doc.
In french it is "extrasytoles Ventricular"...Ventricular systales I think with "supra Vebtricular" what ever that is?
Seems like If I stop smokind and drinking.....and excercise things should get better........
Maybe this is the calling for me, better late than never or too late I guess. Thanx again for the info and hope you have more?
In french it is "extrasytoles Ventricular"...Ventricular systales I think with "supra Vebtricular" what ever that is?
Seems like If I stop smokind and drinking.....and excercise things should get better........
Maybe this is the calling for me, better late than never or too late I guess. Thanx again for the info and hope you have more?
Alapt: IF it is 'extra' heart beats or PAC's as they are sometimes referred to, it depends on how often they occur. If the frequency of these beats exceeds the guidelines laid down by the air medical dept in your CAA, then they err on the side of caution and pull your ticket!
This prognosis however is open to interpretation in that the physiology of the individual can be the predisposing cause of the irregular beats.
For instance, it is either the start of some heart defect, or....much more likely triggered by:
adrenaline (excess) caused by anxiety/stress/fear/fright etc.
Cafeine (tea, coffee, coke, red bull!)
Wine (particularly red).
Alcohol
Nicotine.
These triggers cause the beat to misalign in certain individuals (it is estimated that at least 20% of the UK population suffers from this type of irregular beat. It is completely benign in its basic form and only becomes a cause for concern when it transforms into other arhythmias.
Problem is not helped when you go to the aviation doctor, because of the anxiety from worrying what they will find, it exacerbates the situation furhter!!! White coat syndrome!
Exercise definitely helps, cut out coffee cut back the alcohol, no wine, no work in case of stress....then you'll be fine
This prognosis however is open to interpretation in that the physiology of the individual can be the predisposing cause of the irregular beats.
For instance, it is either the start of some heart defect, or....much more likely triggered by:
adrenaline (excess) caused by anxiety/stress/fear/fright etc.
Cafeine (tea, coffee, coke, red bull!)
Wine (particularly red).
Alcohol
Nicotine.
These triggers cause the beat to misalign in certain individuals (it is estimated that at least 20% of the UK population suffers from this type of irregular beat. It is completely benign in its basic form and only becomes a cause for concern when it transforms into other arhythmias.
Problem is not helped when you go to the aviation doctor, because of the anxiety from worrying what they will find, it exacerbates the situation furhter!!! White coat syndrome!
Exercise definitely helps, cut out coffee cut back the alcohol, no wine, no work in case of stress....then you'll be fine
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Heart Murmer
Hello ppl,
A few days ago I went to do my last medical test for my 2nd Class Med. Cert. It was very dreadful before entering every particular test, especially the eyesight. But it was all ok except for the ECG. The one that expected to lack performance went quite good (eysight) and the one which i really took forgranted was the one which worried me most!! That's life
After the doctor attached me the patches and saw the graphical results from the machine I saw his strange expression on his face. My heart really made a tick!!
He told me that he's going to check further with a stethoscope. After changing varies positions on my chest with his diaphram he told me you have a heart murmer
My heart was also slightly enlarged. I was told that I would have to have an echocardiogram. I am slightly worried that my pilot ambitions are out of the window, so booked the echo for the next 2 weeks.
P.S. The graph showed a steep "hill" which normally at my age (21) must be quite small. This showed that probably I have a heart murmer.
Do I have to worry a lot about it? Is it normal? Can this limit me to gain Class 2 or further on the Class 1 Medical Cert.
Any comments?
Preoccupied
L|kA|r
A few days ago I went to do my last medical test for my 2nd Class Med. Cert. It was very dreadful before entering every particular test, especially the eyesight. But it was all ok except for the ECG. The one that expected to lack performance went quite good (eysight) and the one which i really took forgranted was the one which worried me most!! That's life
After the doctor attached me the patches and saw the graphical results from the machine I saw his strange expression on his face. My heart really made a tick!!
He told me that he's going to check further with a stethoscope. After changing varies positions on my chest with his diaphram he told me you have a heart murmer
My heart was also slightly enlarged. I was told that I would have to have an echocardiogram. I am slightly worried that my pilot ambitions are out of the window, so booked the echo for the next 2 weeks.P.S. The graph showed a steep "hill" which normally at my age (21) must be quite small. This showed that probably I have a heart murmer.
Do I have to worry a lot about it? Is it normal? Can this limit me to gain Class 2 or further on the Class 1 Medical Cert.
Any comments?
Preoccupied
L|kA|r
Join Date: Jan 2001
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so your doc sticks the ECG wires on your chest before he listens with his stethescope? What's the world coming to. 21 yrs old and otherwise healthy, don't worry about it.
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Hello again,
Yes thats right Slim_Slag,
the doctor attached the ECG patches on my chest before listening with with his stetheopscope. Why? Is that not the procedure???
I will let you know regarding the result of the echo.
Regards
L|kA|r
Yes thats right Slim_Slag,
the doctor attached the ECG patches on my chest before listening with with his stetheopscope. Why? Is that not the procedure???
I will let you know regarding the result of the echo.
Regards
L|kA|r
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Hi,
i know how you are feeling. i went thro the same process a couple of months back (see earlier posts). i now have a class one ATCO medical (UK) and all seems fine. Try not to get to tensed up about the whole thing. The Echocardiogram should sort out exactly what causes the murmur, ask as many questions as you can , the more info you have the better!!!
Good luck!
let us know what happens
Chris
i know how you are feeling. i went thro the same process a couple of months back (see earlier posts). i now have a class one ATCO medical (UK) and all seems fine. Try not to get to tensed up about the whole thing. The Echocardiogram should sort out exactly what causes the murmur, ask as many questions as you can , the more info you have the better!!!
Good luck!
let us know what happens
Chris
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likair, these fancy machines that go 'ping' are supposed to be used to confirm a diagosis made using clinical skills and a physical exam with the stethoscope (after you have inspected, palpated and percussed 
). Admittedly, the ECG is mainly a screening tool in these medicals, and probably not a good one at that, but they are cheap and available and do catch some things so I guess why not use them. You will also get a baseline ECG which might be useful some years down the line, except you will not have it when it's needed
Getting a stethoscope out to confirm a diagnosis of a heart murmur made by a ECG machine (or the computer within having some fun) is a bit bizzare in my book.
The echo will tell you exactly how large your heart is, and whether there is anything wrong with the murmur. Just another test you have to pay for unfortunately.
). Admittedly, the ECG is mainly a screening tool in these medicals, and probably not a good one at that, but they are cheap and available and do catch some things so I guess why not use them. You will also get a baseline ECG which might be useful some years down the line, except you will not have it when it's needed Getting a stethoscope out to confirm a diagnosis of a heart murmur made by a ECG machine (or the computer within having some fun) is a bit bizzare in my book.
The echo will tell you exactly how large your heart is, and whether there is anything wrong with the murmur. Just another test you have to pay for unfortunately.
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Hello Slim_Slag
That's right !!
Hope that with the echo test all the doubts are discarded! Yepp unfortunately I have to pay another test which is quite more expensive compared with the other ones!!
But I prefer to pay and know what I have and learn about my health
Hope for the best
Regards
L|kA|r
That's right !!
Hope that with the echo test all the doubts are discarded! Yepp unfortunately I have to pay another test which is quite more expensive compared with the other ones!!
But I prefer to pay and know what I have and learn about my health
Hope for the best
Regards
L|kA|r
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Regular ECG
Just returned from my echo tests.
All the murmur doubts from the ECG test machine are all discarded. Now the doctor has assured me that my heart is regular and functioning very well with the Echo test.
The reason that a suspect of a murmur was because of a high peak wave form from the ECG test. He told me since I have a athletic body (slim) ie less resistance for the ECG machine to scan heart pulses therefore it resulted suspects.
Thanks for your attention and your help!!
L|kA|r
All the murmur doubts from the ECG test machine are all discarded. Now the doctor has assured me that my heart is regular and functioning very well with the Echo test.
The reason that a suspect of a murmur was because of a high peak wave form from the ECG test. He told me since I have a athletic body (slim) ie less resistance for the ECG machine to scan heart pulses therefore it resulted suspects.
Thanks for your attention and your help!!
L|kA|r
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Hyper Trophic Cardio Myopathy
It doesnt always work out, after many years as a private pilot and a 1000 or so hours, I went to have my medical and found that I also had a murmer.
After some tests, they discovered the above, and pulled my ticket.
Cant do jack now.
After some tests, they discovered the above, and pulled my ticket.
Cant do jack now.
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Heart Murmers
Dozza2k
See all below. If you come up against the wall try to see Prof.Douglas Chamberlin at the Brighton Heart Support Trust.
Tel. 01273 664945. He is the CAA cardiac consultant, but is on your side. And dont be put off by the cost of the angiograms they are worth it and will probably keep you in a job and save your life.
BENDO
Thanks for a really positive post. My experience mirrors your own. Except that I got through my whole career without interruption and now at 67yrs. am expecting the valve replacement any day.
Posts such as yours are really of great value and many will benefit from it.
Best rgds. FPG
See all below. If you come up against the wall try to see Prof.Douglas Chamberlin at the Brighton Heart Support Trust.
Tel. 01273 664945. He is the CAA cardiac consultant, but is on your side. And dont be put off by the cost of the angiograms they are worth it and will probably keep you in a job and save your life.
BENDO
Thanks for a really positive post. My experience mirrors your own. Except that I got through my whole career without interruption and now at 67yrs. am expecting the valve replacement any day.
Posts such as yours are really of great value and many will benefit from it.
Best rgds. FPG
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Yes, Douglas Chamberlain is the best and a great guy too, one of those who really works hard for his patients and the community at large. If you get him on your side you have won the medical argument.
