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Underwater Scan Finds Significant Heart Changes in Divers

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An underwater ultrasound scan of scuba divers’ hearts found significant changes in cardiac function during and after a dive, according to a small study in the journal Acta Physiologica. The test could be used to identify novice scuba divers with undetected heart disease or cardiac abnormalities that might prove fatal during a dive, researchers said.

Scuba diving is growing in popularity among older Americans and heart attacks and unknown heart rhythms are the most common cause of diving-related deaths after age 40, according to the Divers Alert Network.

The study, conducted in Italy, involved 18 scuba divers, including 16 men and two women. The participants were about 42 years old and each had made at least 100 dives. None smoked or had hypertension, heart or lung disease.

Cardiac-ultrasound tests were conducted on land before and after diving, and underwater at two depths. The divers wore suits with access for an ultrasound probe and maintained a kneeling position for 10 minutes at a depth of about 33 feet, then five minutes at 16.4 feet.

Among the heart changes recorded during and after the dive: The volume of the left ventricle, a lower heart chamber that pumps newly oxygenated blood to the body, increased significantly, while the flow of blood into the ventricles decreased. These changes may be due to a diving-related shift of blood from the lower extremities to the upper body, exerting a constrictive effect on the chest, the researchers said.

Bradycardia, the term for a slow resting heart rate, a condition that can cause dizziness and weakness if the rate falls below 50 beats per minute, was documented after but not during the scuba diving. The cardiovascular changes that occur during immersion may increase the risk of cardiac problems in divers who are unfit, overweight or have underlying heart disease, researchers said.

Heart rate may have been higher underwater because divers were disturbed or stressed by the ultrasound tests, researchers said.

 

Source: Wall Street Journal

Gear Reviews

GEAR REVIEW: JOBY SeaPal Underwater Housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy (Watch Video)

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JOBY SeaPal

In a video shot exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman reviews the JOBY SeaPal underwater housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones.

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Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire

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idc

Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.

Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.

Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:

  • 12 April
  • 5 July,
  • 20 September
  • 29 November

Partnership with Casita Palma

If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.

Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.

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