TIAs/Strokes and Diving

[grimbob]

Hi everybody

I've recently suffered what MAY be a small Transient Ischaemic Attack/stroke. I'm currently receiving ongoing tests after an initial CAT scan did not show any obvious problems. I understand that another possible explanation is that I suffered a Haema Sensory migraine

An ECG test did show a slight heart anomaly (right axis deviation) which may or may not be significant. I will be having an ultrasound of my heart to find out if there are any obvious problems. Being a migraine (with aura) sufferer my immediate fear is of course that I may have a PFO.

Can anybody tell me if I they have any information regarding whether I am able to continue diving if indeed it turns out that I have suffered from a stroke/TIA?

Alternatively if it transpires that I have a PFO what are my chances of continuing my new found diving obsession?

Concerned of Whitechapel

[Alan]

have a read of this: Travel Dive: PFO (Probably feeling Ok): Scuba Diving articles

My main reason for PFO closure was just for what you desribed, PFO sufferers have a higher probability of cryptogenic strokes which you have described.

I know of people who have had closures after experiencing TIAs, and would recommend anyone suffering from one to investigate the link between TIAs and PFOs.

Alan

[nigelH]

I would say no problem provided it's not the dreaded PFO. We always point people at the diving doctors for a solid ruling but if they will pass you fit to drive you can almost certainly dive. There's no hyperbaric element in these.

Sensory Migraine is fun. I had the whole right hand side of my vision shut down once. Since my mothers family have a habit of sloughing off this mortal coil on big strokes I was a bit worried as everything to the right of my nose became 'blind spot' - not blank - not grey - just totally not there. However as it faded back in up the hospital I relaxed.

My problem was dehydration. This was before I developed kidney stones and was read the riot act on not drinking enough fluids.

Good luck with it.

[grimbob]

Originally Posted by Alan

have a read of this: Travel Dive: PFO (Probably feeling Ok): Scuba Diving articles

My main reason for PFO closure was just for what you desribed, PFO sufferers have a higher probability of cryptogenic strokes which you have described.

I know of people who have had closures after experiencing TIAs, and would recommend anyone suffering from one to investigate the link between TIAs and PFOs.

Alan

Alan

Thanks for this info. I did see this post when I was searching for information but didn't read it till you replied to my post.

Blimey... it all seems a bit too much to consider right now. It's just beginning to sink in that I may not be able to dive again without undergoing surgery and spending a small fortune in the process.

I will certainly be pushing the doctors who are treating me at the moment to fully investigate the possibility that I have a PFO.

I agree with you though that the evidence is certainly pointing in that direction at the moment.

Graham

[grimbob]

Originally Posted by nigelH

I would say no problem provided it's not the dreaded PFO. We always point people at the diving doctors for a solid ruling but if they will pass you fit to drive you can almost certainly dive. There's no hyperbaric element in these.

Sensory Migraine is fun. I had the whole right hand side of my vision shut down once. Since my mothers family have a habit of sloughing off this mortal coil on big strokes I was a bit worried as everything to the right of my nose became 'blind spot' - not blank - not grey - just totally not there. However as it faded back in up the hospital I relaxed.

My problem was dehydration. This was before I developed kidney stones and was read the riot act on not drinking enough fluids.

Good luck with it.

Nigel

I too hope that it's not the dreaded PFO. Thanks for the other info - I only hope I fall into the same category as you. I probably don't drink nearly enough water (amongst other drinks

Graham

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by graham brierton

I probably don't drink nearly enough water (amongst other drinks

Yup.
Beer doesn't count as it's a diuretic and actually dries you out.
Good for you kidneys but messes up the rest of you.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by nigelH

....Beer ....Good for you kidneys ....

That's twice today you've cheered me up... ta mate.

Chris

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by chrisch

That's twice today you've cheered me up... ta mate.

LOL Trust you to filter that one out.

But it's true. AIUI The heavy beer drinker's liver is a mess but his kidney are wonderful.

[Hellvet]

Yep my MAIN reason for getting it closed was the "other" problems rather than DCS. I've cited some relevant papers that might help with your GP if you're struggling - you can access most of these through Medline a website aimed at doctors and scientists at Entrez PubMed
, but they are not easy to read and can be confusing if you don't speak "medicine", or at least "science". Might be useful to throw at your GP to get them to refer you for the test though!
Helen

Cabanes L et al, Atrial septal aneurysm and patent foramen ovale as risk factors for cryptogenic stroke in patients less than 55 years of age, a study using transoesophageal echocardiography, Stroke, 1993, 24, p1865-1873

Dearani JA et al, Surgical patent foramen ovale closure for prevention of paradoxical embolism related cerebrovascular ischaemic events, Circulation, 1999, 100(suppl II), p171-175

Lechat PF et al, Prevalence of patent foramen ovale in patients with stroke, N Engl J Med 1988, 318, p1148-1152

Webster MW et al, Patent foramen ovale in young stroke patients, Lancet, 1988, 2, p11-12

Wilmshurst et al, Effect on migraine of closure of cardiac right to left shunts to prevent recurrence of decompression illness, or stroke or for haemodynamic reasons, Lancet, 2000, 356, p1648-1651