Stroke

[jrl5549]

Hi,
I had a stroke about 8 months ago.
DAN Medics say diving is not contra indicated after stroke. I am just looking for more info and some more conversation. I am trying to plan a dive trip to Bonaire. I believe it is pretty much shallow. I know Bonaire is a little lacking Hospitols.
I am on asprin and BP medicain. I am just wondering if anyone wants tell me to not dive or it is ok let me know.

 

[TSandM]

There are a lot of variables that have to be taken into account in deciding whether it is safe to dive after a stroke. The first is the cause of the stroke -- is someone in atrial fibrillation? Did they throw paradoxical emboli through a PFO? Do they have a coagulopathy that requires anticoagulation? Was the stroke due to an aneurysm which has been repaired?

Then there is the question of the sequelae of the stroke. Is the person capable of managing the required activities of diving? Can he lift gear, and climb a ladder, or manage a beach entry? Can he communicate adequately?

There are way too many things to take into consideration for us to be able to answer the question with the information given.

 

[Bratface]

Is there a DAN cardiac specialist in your area? Call DAN and find out. As TSandM said, can you lift your own gear, climb the ladder? Do you have any residual weakness on one side? Do you feel confident? Only you can decide if you are comfortable to return to diving. If there is a pool, lake, quarry or other body of water where you live, try some shallow dives with a trusted buddy after you have been checked out. I hope you are able to return to diving and enjoy Bonaire, and be sure to get some Dive Insurance.

 

[Dr Deco]

This is a medical question and not one of decompression physiology. I believe the answer from TS and M sounds very reliable.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi,
I had a stroke about 8 months ago.
DAN Medics say diving is not contra indicated after stroke. I am just looking for more info and some more conversation. I am trying to plan a dive trip to Bonaire. I believe it is pretty much shallow. I know Bonaire is a little lacking Hospitols.
I am on asprin and BP medicain. I am just wondering if anyone wants tell me to not dive or it is ok let me know.

Clearance to dive in your situation is best left up to a diving medical professional who can evaluate you in person. Where in Texas are you?

Best regards,
DDM

 

[jrl5549]

I am in Houston. I have no physical results from the stroke. I have some word finding issues but mostly I am fine. I had a micro tear in my carotid artery. It happened Thanksgiving 2012. I am still building up my stamina and my Nuero cleared me for all activities. I would not be diving for at least a year.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

PM sent.

 

[sphyrnidus]

While the hospital in Bonaire is indeed smallish, healthcare is fine (Dutch ) and on Curacao is a bigger hospital. I can't even find of there is a neurologist on Bonaire, because the hospital website doesn't mention any specialists and I know for sure there are i.e. two paediatricians (my specialty). But Curacao is close by, my brother is a GP over there. Diving doesn't have to be very strenuous on Bonaire. You can do easy shore dives and some nice boat dive on the little island in front of it. More often than not there is hardly any current. I hope you can do this and have fun on Bonaire.