NormalSpeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (10 years 5 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 1155 times:
Hey all,
This is one topic that I never wanted to start, but it seems that I've developed an arrythmia (heart skipping beats). I looked in part 67 of the FARs, and I must say that I'm a little nervous as to the interpretation on the cardiovascular requirements for the Class I medical (67.111) under paragraph (b) where it talks about a "clinically significant abnormality". Has anyone had any experience with this or anything like it? I guess the AME will be the one to make the call, but is there anything that I should know before I disclose this to the FAA? Or would anyone like to give any advice on this issue?
As far as I can tell, my medical is still valid, because an arrythmia is not a disqualifying condition. But it sure would be great if any of you all could shed some light on the subject.
Skyguy11 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (10 years 5 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 1104 times:
Well... a few things here: everyone has heart palpatations (skips a beat every now and again). Is your condition self diagnosed? If so then it may be nothing. If you go to a doctor about it they will most likely pass it off as nothing unless there is another condition associated with it (chest pain, dizyness, etc.). Even if you do require tests most likely it will not reveal any 'significant abnormality'. In any case, good luck and keep us informed.
BTW I've had similiar experiences with heart palpatations and even asked a doctor about it during a routine checkup. She said it was nothing to worry about and that all (or most) people have them every so often. <--- in which case don't even mention it to the FAA doctor!
NormalSpeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (10 years 5 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 859 times:
Well, yes, I guess it is self-diagnosed. But I'm definitely missing beats. I haven't been experiencing any chest pain, shortness of breath, diziness, etc. I've got a visit with the doctor set up for later today. He happens to be an AME, although he's not the one I use for my FAA medicals. He might be able to shed some light on the subject. I suppose that it's really to early to tell. I just hope I can at very least hang on to that Class III medical so I can finish up my CFI and instruct. I will keep you all updated. Skyguy, thanks for the encouraging words.
NormalSpeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (10 years 5 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 839 times:
Good news for now:
It seems that this heart skippage is benign in about 99% of the patients who exhibit it, so odds are greatly in my favor. The only way to really be sure is to have some tests run--blood work, EKG, etc. The doctor said that it might not be worth it unless I had some good insurance to pay for it all. I'll proabably eventually have a blood test done at least, but for now, everything is ok. I also asked about how this might effect my FAA medical. The doctor said that it wouldn't affect it at all. That's a load off! In fact, this doctor also happened to be an Air Force Reserve Flight Surgeon, and he said that they'd found some similar things in fighter pilots, and that they were still able to fly just as if they had no skippage.
BR715-A1-30 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (10 years 5 months 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 834 times:
I have what they call Variable Heart Arrythmia or something Heart Arrythmia. (Whatever the heck they call it.) My heart will skip a beat every so often and then it will start racing. Then it will slow down, but every time it skips a beat, it speeds up for a little bit, and then slows down. They said that it is nothing to worry about right now, but I get it checked every three months. It still does this, but they said it ain't nothing major.
BR715-A1-30 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (10 years 5 months 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 832 times:
Oh, BTW -- I can just be sitting on the couch, and it will start up. They said it should not interfere with my career (Flight Attendant). But it happened a week ago. I was at my G/F house, and I was watching a movie, and it skipped (I felt it) and about 3 seconds later, it was racing so fast, I had to catch my breath. It slowed down about 2 minutes later, and I was fine.
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