angina or not!

[jb1962]

Hello.

I am new to this forum but as I have said in my intro that I do belong to another forum, ukdivers.

I went to a bsac school to do a try dive and was told that because i had a angiogram early this year that I would need a bsac referee... easier said then done as i found out later.

But I found one and then he was not in my area so again I had to go looking and on ukdivers forum I was given a bsac referee in essex.
I got in touch he told me he needed the surgeons letter to my doctor.
Then he tells me to contact the dive chamber and to get them to deal with it and they need the letter and the treadmill test report.:confused:

I really wanted to learn to scuba as I have had some bad padi first try dives.
one in malta that nearly got me killed in the sea and one in jamaica that was much better as it was in a pool.

so with them most people would of gave up .
But not me....
No I thought ok what if I do have angina it's not like i'm going to dive deeper then 16m if that.

But now I must say I do feel distheartend that my gp says I have angina and the surgeon says I don't.

So now what?.
Well the referee wanted me to do a step test what ever that is to see if I was ok to learn to dive.
Yet I can go swimming and can snorkel so why not learn to scuba?.

And yes I am over weight at 5"7 tall my weight is 16 stone and I have started to smoke again yet I do not drink over 5 pints in a week.

Well thats it from me.

Regards.

John.

[Nigel Hewitt]

But now I must say I do feel distheartend that my gp says I have angina and the surgeon says I don't.
So now what?
Well the referee wanted me to do a step test what ever that is to see if I was ok to learn to dive.
Yet I can go swimming and can snorkel so why not learn to scubaI did the treadmill test a couple of months ago and that was enough to get me signed off for another few years. Also I carry GTN for angina even though I've never had the pain since having a cardiac stent fitted.

You do need to be careful as heart trouble is implicated in several diver deaths every year. Not having bulk air to breathe can complicate a simple, survivable heart attack but, fortunately, I had mine in bed. You are going to get a bit of a run-around as nobody is going to sign you off if they think they are going to kill you but, conversely, the medical referees are good: they want to get you diving and keep you diving while it is safe to do so.

[jb1962]

I did the treadmill test a couple of months ago and that was enough to get me signed off for another few years. Also I carry GTN for angina even though I've never had the pain since having a cardiac stent fitted.

You do need to be careful as heart trouble is implicated in several diver deaths every year. Not having bulk air to breathe can complicate a simple, survivable heart attack but, fortunately, I had mine in bed. You are going to get a bit of a run-around as nobody is going to sign you off if they think they are going to kill you but, conversely, the medical referees are good: they want to get you diving and keep you diving while it is safe to do so.

Hi Nigel.

I was not given the chance to have a stent .
all I got was a angiogram and aspirin and told to stop tacking mononitrate tabs and to stop the gtn spray.

I have tried doing 35 step ups in a minute going up two stairs and back down again ..all went ok .

The dive chamber want a copy of my angiogram and the treadmill test before they might see me .

[Nigel Hewitt]

The dive chamber want a copy of my angiogram and the treadmill test before they might see me .My GP put me onto a private consultant for the treadmill and he charged me 180 quid. Apparantly it is standard for certain driving jobs after a heart attack.
They kept upping the speed and slope until I hit 200bpm.
I was trashed when I finished but I didn't throw a wobbly on the ECG and I've never got near that workload diving.

I'd love a copy of my Angiogram. I was trying to watch the screens as they worked and seeing the TV X-ray screens of tubes being moved in a live beating human heart would have been riveting if only I hadn't felt quite so involved.

[jb1962]

Well I have a test booked on the 26th with a Dr Keith Kendall contact number is 01708 478603 Hornchurch essex.

I was given these details from Sublime diving tours by Julie Parini.

I will be paying around £40 but have been told it could be £60.

I now just keep by fingers crossed that I pass.

Regards.
John.;)

[Nigel Hewitt]

Well I have a test booked on the 26th with a Dr Keith Kendall contact number is 01708 478603 Hornchurch essex.Nice to see you haven't given up.
Good luck....

[Tony F]

Well I have a test booked on the 26th with a Dr Keith Kendall contact number is 01708 478603 Hornchurch essex.

I was given these details from Sublime diving tours by Julie Parini.

I will be paying around £40 but have been told it could be £60.

I now just keep by fingers crossed that I pass.

Regards.
John.;)

Eeks....... small world. I once had a medical for a Pro level course with Keith myself and I know Julie and Sublime very well indeed.

Keith is a very level headed Doctor, he's an experienced diver himself who will know exactly what you wish to do.

Do your best not to worry about the outcome, I know that's easier said than done but being anxious will not help the bp. Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[jb1962]

hi again.
Well I got on ok apart from that he said I have cad ( Coronary Artery Disease ) and that I have to lose two stone and get down to 14 stone.
Well I am at 15 and a half stone and now just trying to get fitter .

oh well such is life..lol.

John

[Nigel Hewitt]

Well I got on ok apart from that he said I have cad ( Coronary Artery Disease ) and that I have to lose two stone and get down to 14 stone.
Well I am at 15 and a half stone and now just trying to get fitter.After all this fight actually learning to dive should be a doddle.

Also all the fitter, healthier stuff pays off in other ways. A Cardiac Doctor looks on a fat, smoking, couch potato and thinks "he's undoing it as fast as I can fix it". If you are pushing him to let you do more active things it can't be bad. Having your own agenda for healthy living is worth ten times as much as being bullied into it by cardiac rehab.

[jb1962]

Hi.
Yes I really want to learn to dive and after so many try dives and buying my own gear some how I have to try and find some thing that works for me.
I have cut beer right out and down smoking is coming down.
eggs and cheese are less eaten.
it's just finding some thing that works now.http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/redface.gif

john.