I recently had an episode with Atrial Fibrillation but I have no history of heart problems and the doctors say I have a strong heart with no faulty valves or anything. Just wondering if any of you might know what the Marines in particular have to say about this, mainly in reference to aviation, I really have no idea. Thanks for any input.
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Am I screwed?
- Thread starter haze748
- Start date
I'm not a Doctor...but I play one on television. 
Unfortunately for you, similar episodes like.."I blacked out once for an hour for no reason last month, but it hasn't happened since" are not good promoters of an aviation career.
Consult DODMERB on line to see what the requirements are for a commission.
Good luck,
G.
Unfortunately for you, similar episodes like.."I blacked out once for an hour for no reason last month, but it hasn't happened since" are not good promoters of an aviation career.
Consult DODMERB on line to see what the requirements are for a commission.
Good luck,
G.
Dunno if you are screwed. Two places to go for info...
http://www.rotc.monroe.army.mil/helpdesk/medical info-1/dodmerb waivers.htm
http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Nami/WaiverGuideTopics/cardiology.htm
I placed in bold the most important info. If your doc can attribute your AFIB to one of the causes noted below, you may be waiverable. Which (mil or civ) doctors say you have a strong heart? If you can get a mil doc to say that, your chances are much better for getting a waiver.
3.4 ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AFIB) Rev SEP 95
AEROMEDICAL CONCERNS: See atrial flutter.
WAIVER: The condition is CD. No waivers are recommended in recurrent cases or in candidates, but a return to full flight status is possible 6 months following a single episode of atrial fibrillation with a documented precipitating factor (e.g. Holiday Heart). No medications are waiverable. Waivers are not recommended for candidates.
INFORMATION REQUIRED: Complete cardiology consultation is required, to include exercise treadmill testing, echocardiography and three Holter monitor studies at monthly intervals. Exclusion of secondary causes is mandatory, including an exact detailed history of the event(s)(i.e. alcohol use, thyroid, stimulant use, sleep, stress, etc).
DISCUSSION: The condition is a result of chaotic atrial activity (P waves not discernible) at a rate generally between 350-600, with an irregularly irregular ventricular response (rate 120-160) except in patients on digoxin, beta blockers, high vagal tone, or intrinsic AV nodal disease. Causes are many: rheumatic heart disease (RHD), atrial septal defects (ASD), pulmonary emboli (PE), coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiomyopathies, postoperative heart surgery, hypertension, and pericarditis. A single episode of AFIB may occur without underlying heart disease, and can be associated with high caffeine intake, smoking, and excessive ETOH intake. In 50% of cases of atrial fibrillation, the cause is underlying disease such as left ventricular failure, mitral valve disease, pericardial disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, sinus node disease or hyperthyroidism. There is a 17-fold increase in stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation caused by mitral valve disease compared to a 5-fold increase in risk in patients where the fibrillation arises from all other causes. Cardioversion is 90%successful in restoring rhythm in flutter but there is a relatively high relapse rate (50%) in fibrillation. Patients with idiopathic, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation have no increased mortality compared to normals.
427.31 Atrial Fibrillation
http://www.rotc.monroe.army.mil/helpdesk/medical info-1/dodmerb waivers.htm
http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/Nami/WaiverGuideTopics/cardiology.htm
I placed in bold the most important info. If your doc can attribute your AFIB to one of the causes noted below, you may be waiverable. Which (mil or civ) doctors say you have a strong heart? If you can get a mil doc to say that, your chances are much better for getting a waiver.
3.4 ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AFIB) Rev SEP 95
AEROMEDICAL CONCERNS: See atrial flutter.
WAIVER: The condition is CD. No waivers are recommended in recurrent cases or in candidates, but a return to full flight status is possible 6 months following a single episode of atrial fibrillation with a documented precipitating factor (e.g. Holiday Heart). No medications are waiverable. Waivers are not recommended for candidates.
INFORMATION REQUIRED: Complete cardiology consultation is required, to include exercise treadmill testing, echocardiography and three Holter monitor studies at monthly intervals. Exclusion of secondary causes is mandatory, including an exact detailed history of the event(s)(i.e. alcohol use, thyroid, stimulant use, sleep, stress, etc).
DISCUSSION: The condition is a result of chaotic atrial activity (P waves not discernible) at a rate generally between 350-600, with an irregularly irregular ventricular response (rate 120-160) except in patients on digoxin, beta blockers, high vagal tone, or intrinsic AV nodal disease. Causes are many: rheumatic heart disease (RHD), atrial septal defects (ASD), pulmonary emboli (PE), coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiomyopathies, postoperative heart surgery, hypertension, and pericarditis. A single episode of AFIB may occur without underlying heart disease, and can be associated with high caffeine intake, smoking, and excessive ETOH intake. In 50% of cases of atrial fibrillation, the cause is underlying disease such as left ventricular failure, mitral valve disease, pericardial disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, sinus node disease or hyperthyroidism. There is a 17-fold increase in stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation caused by mitral valve disease compared to a 5-fold increase in risk in patients where the fibrillation arises from all other causes. Cardioversion is 90%successful in restoring rhythm in flutter but there is a relatively high relapse rate (50%) in fibrillation. Patients with idiopathic, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation have no increased mortality compared to normals.
427.31 Atrial Fibrillation
In that case change your picture to a 172 and enjoy. Honestly, the Navy will probably do an EKG to view your heart at work and then make a decision. The best and brightest are at Bethesda, so I'd plan on buying an airline ticket. If your ROTC at Riddle you may be able to scehdule your own visit and cut off the chain reaction of people who scream OH MY GOD YOUR DYING. The doc will let you know if your cleared for a Class I medical to be a pilot. The price of an airline ticket will save your sanity and let you plan your future.
Oh and don't be afraid of NOMI. An enlisted guy is taking your blood pressure, if it's high tell him your going to kick your feet up for a few minutes and then he/she can take another reading. Don't ask, be assertive, remember the first letters in assertive are ass. It's your career. Also, the doc's and civilians there will do everything they can to get you through the process and if you have questions, i.e. about waivers, press them for answers. Most conditions are waiverable if your willing to do the legwork to save your career, no offense but pilot jobs are at a premium so no one sweating over one person. Trust me if you want to be a pilot, you want to be in the miliary.