Cardiac Arrythmias in Scuba Divers
Heart issues are frequently implicated in scuba diving fatalities. Abnormal heartbeats, also known as arrythmias, can be a marker of cardiac compromise. This study follows 110 divers during six scuba diving trips and characterizes the factors that contribute to any post-diving arrythmias.
Diving fatalities are exceedingly rare, however, of the fatalities that do occur approximately 20 to 30 percent are caused by sudden cardiac death.
Sudden cardiac death, or SCD, is an abrupt, unexpected loss of heart function that results in fatality and often occurs in people who were previously presumed healthy. The exact mechanism that leads to SCD is unknown, but it is believed that a serious misfire in the heart’s rhythm, otherwise known as an arrythmia, is the culprit. A small amount of arrythmias are normal in daily life, but when they become more frequent, this can mean that the heart is impaired and that SCD is more likely.
Divers Alert Network is leading a study to characterize the factors that contribute to arrythmias in scuba divers to help prevent future cases of SCD. This study, currently in the analysis phase, consisted of six multi-day dive trips to gather data. Trip locations varied from a cold-water aquarium in the American Pacific Northwest, to the tropical Southern Caribbean, to a remote chain of islands in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
One hundred and ten certified scuba divers signed up to be research subjects. Each provided basic biological information, medical history, diving history, and had their heart chambers measured by a diagnostic cardiac sonographer. Prior to dive trips, subjects’ heart rhythms were analyzed, and at the end of dive trips their heart rhythms were analyzed again. Arrythmias were identified and any changes between the pre-trip and post-trip scans were noted.
After the six trips were completed, the data were handed off for statistical analysis. While results are pending and cannot yet be shared with the general public, the preliminary findings are striking. DAN hopes that this study will serve as a template for future exploration into underwater physiology and will inspire future investigation on heart rhythm changes while scuba diving. When this study is published, DAN will publish a press release to alert all interested members of the research and dive communities.
Diving fatalities are exceedingly rare, however, of the fatalities that do occur approximately 20 to 30 percent are caused by sudden cardiac death.
Sudden cardiac death, or SCD, is an abrupt, unexpected loss of heart function that results in fatality and often occurs in people who were previously presumed healthy. The exact mechanism that leads to SCD is unknown, but it is believed that a serious misfire in the heart’s rhythm, otherwise known as an arrythmia, is the culprit. A small amount of arrythmias are normal in daily life, but when they become more frequent, this can mean that the heart is impaired and that SCD is more likely.
Divers Alert Network is leading a study to characterize the factors that contribute to arrythmias in scuba divers to help prevent future cases of SCD. This study, currently in the analysis phase, consisted of six multi-day dive trips to gather data. Trip locations varied from a cold-water aquarium in the American Pacific Northwest, to the tropical Southern Caribbean, to a remote chain of islands in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
One hundred and ten certified scuba divers signed up to be research subjects. Each provided basic biological information, medical history, diving history, and had their heart chambers measured by a diagnostic cardiac sonographer. Prior to dive trips, subjects’ heart rhythms were analyzed, and at the end of dive trips their heart rhythms were analyzed again. Arrythmias were identified and any changes between the pre-trip and post-trip scans were noted.
After the six trips were completed, the data were handed off for statistical analysis. While results are pending and cannot yet be shared with the general public, the preliminary findings are striking. DAN hopes that this study will serve as a template for future exploration into underwater physiology and will inspire future investigation on heart rhythm changes while scuba diving. When this study is published, DAN will publish a press release to alert all interested members of the research and dive communities.
Posted in Dive Fitness, Dive Safety FAQ, Research
Tagged with Heart, Heart Attack, Arrythmia, Cardiaccompromise, Diving Fatalities
Tagged with Heart, Heart Attack, Arrythmia, Cardiaccompromise, Diving Fatalities
Categories
2023
January
March
Demo DiversCape Marine Research and Diver DevelopmentKaboom!....The Big Oxygen Safety IssueTerrific Freedive Mode“LIGHTS, Film, Action!”Scuba Nudi ClothingDive into Freedive InstructionThe Benefits of Being BaldThe Inhaca Ocean Alliance.Special Forces DiverToughing It Out Is DangerousWhat Dive Computers Don\'t Know | PART 2
2022
January
February
UNCERTAINTY AFTER DIVING: Case Report and Recommendations #1.UNCERTAINTY AFTER DIVING: Case Report and Recommendations #2UNCERTAINTY AFTER DIVING: Case Report and Recommendations #3UNCERTAINTY AFTER DIVING: Case Report and Recommendations #4DIVERS LOSING ACCESS TO EMERGENCY CAREPreventing Breathing gas Contamination
March
When Should the Rescue Begin?Celebrating Young and Old in Turks and CaicosScuba Cylinder RundownChasing WeedsUnderwater Smartphone PhotographyAir and a SpareUnderwater Photographer: Fred BuyleBuilding Better BalanceLow-Visibility DivingMore Than a Sore ShoulderNot Only for DivingLaryngospasm and AnxietyPulmonary Hypertension and DivingTitan Meets TitanicPool Operation: Know Before you GoThe Argonaut Octopus and the jellyfishShort but Beautiful Lives
April
A Sense of PurposeMexico’s Sardine RunHigh-Pressure Hose injuriesA Hole in My HeartGoing UpConcussion and Return to DivingMarfan Syndrome Recommendations.South African Sardine Run by Walter BernardisSouth African Sardine Run By ProdiveSardine Run Port Elizabeth by ProDiveSardine Run Port St Johns by ProDiveScuba Diving In MauritiusScuba Diving in TanzaniaScuba Diving in the SeychellesScuba Diving in Nosy BeScuba Diving in MalawiScuba Diving in KenyaScuba Diving in South AfricaScuba Diving in Mozambique
May
June
July
Destination AntarticaUnconscious DiverA Little DetailDive Boat SafetyBlenny Watching 101Bonaire Inspires Hope for the Future of CoralThe Secret to Deep Freediving: Tips from 3 Female World Record HoldersEnsuring Safety in Freediving CompetitionsFour Tips For Staying Warm While Cold Water DivingAnd They Dived Happily Ever AfterFreediving Is About To Enter A New Era If Oxama Has Its SayGET BENT!The Joys and Challenges of the DeepUnderstanding The Secrets of Deep Freediving: Tips from Three National Record Holders