Aviation Medical - Heart Attack – Super Fit - surf lifesaving legend Dean Mercer Dies of Heart Attac

[Geoff_H]

The cause could be plaque. Only shows up on calcium score. All other tests do not show it. What causes it in low risk people I don't know but a bit breaks off, into your heart and stops the valves from working. Not so nice.

 

 

[onetrack]

Be aware that the health professionals believe that gallstones, or any other gall bladder disease, is a good pointer to a substantially-increased risk of ischaemic heart disease, in otherwise healthy people.

 

There are numbers of scholarly articles discussing the links and likelihood of increased IHD in patients with gall bladder problems. Makes sense, as gallstones are simply a bad cholesterol problem.

 

Missus isn't a health professional, but does alternative therapies and is right into health issues - and she's noted, just from her observations, that a sizeable number of her clients, who've had their gall bladder removed, have had heart attacks, not so long after their gall bladder removal operation.

 

Gallstones linked to increased risk of heart disease, particularly in healthy looking people

 

 

[peter]

Ian, the assumption that is constantly being made is that a medical examination picks up significant risk/causal factors that allow an adequate risk profile to be established. There is simply no evidence for this. Medical examinations for diving/flying/driving have been demonstrated to be extremely ineffective.

 

The example you quote re diabetes being picked up by urinalysis is a good one to look at. There is significant evidence that your risk of a cardiac event is markedly raised by the time you have impaired fasting glucose, long before any urine or normal blood sugar test is altered. You would need to measure insulin resistance not test urine. The urine test was developed a hundred years ago and is simply no longer valid.

 

The CASA avmed department does not make consistent decisions. The risk of a significant sudden incapacity in someone with stage one prostate cancer is close to nil and yet people are required to submit multiple specialist reports and be monitored incredibly closely, no medical sense in that at all.

 

If someone has had blocked coronary arteries then what does that suggest about their other arteries? Do we make people who have had bypass surgery have their cerebral arteries scanned? Why not? The answer is simple , the overall risk remains low.

 

Most other countries are coming to the simple conclusion that medical examinations don't provide the information needed but are expensive and time consuming.

 

For recreational flying they are a waste of resources.

 

I have spent considerable time discussing the pros and cons of far more stringent medicals used for Antarctic service. The avmed standards are archaic and don't stand up to rigorous inspection.

 

Peter

 

35 year career in rural, remote and expedition medicine

 

 

[winsor68]

Once you are over 40 you are at constantly increasing risk...and you are always at risk anyway. And as for going to the gym? Perhaps not such a good idea if you are no longer a teenager.

 

 

[derekliston]

Once you are over 40 you are at constantly increasing risk...and you are always at risk anyway. And as for going to the gym? Perhaps not such a good idea if you are no longer a teenager.

I a 70 and do an hours exercise at the gym five mornings a week. I don't know if it will keep me fit but I can only try. Not one of us knows how long we have left on this Earth. We can only do our best.

 

 

[peter]

The evidence is overwhelming that exercise at any age is beneficial for both mental and physical health, keep going to the gym! Resistance training and high intensity interval training are the most beneficial.

 

Just look at Chris Sperou, pulling 8-9 g's and still doing air shows and he must be close to 80 and he is incredibly fit.

 

 

[facthunter]

Exercise is needed all the time to maintain joint stability and muscle mass/strength and bone density. Just don't overdo it or you get damage. Cut out salt and trans fats and get sunlight (vitamin D) but not at the high UV times and not for too long. No sugary drinks. drink plenty( but not excessive quantities )of WATER. When you are dehydrated your blood gets thick so go to a lot of trouble to avoid dehydration and eat low GI food to maintain a good even blood sugar level when you fly. NOT gatoraid etc unless you are running a marathon at the time. Don't have large amounts of mineral water either. I use carbon filtered TAP water or when on a long trip a lined cardboard carton of Pureau... Nev

 

 

[kgwilson]

Three years ago I had a BRAO (branch retinal artery occlusion) or eye stroke & around 75% of the retina in my left eye died. I was referred to a cardiologist & had all the checks (Blood pressure, cholesterol, ECG, Halter for 2 days, Stress test etc). The result was I had a very healthy heart similar to a healthy person 20 years my junior. When I asked the Opthomologist why after all the tests his only answer was "Just bad luck". My brain has adjusted for the reduced level of field of view in the left eye & I still have better than 20-20 vision in both eyes. Am I more of a risk flying than someone who has just passed all the things I passed as well after this episode? I don't think so but I bet AVMED would.

 

They need to look at the statistics which is why the UK CAA dispensed with class 2 medicals for PPLs more than a year ago. The following is an extract from the UK CAP 1397 published in April 2016.

 

a) GA fatal accidents with potential medical causes

 

GA fatal accidents which may have a possible (not conclusive) medical cause are uncommon. Over a 10 year period from 2004 – 2013, there were a total of 151 GA fatal accidents of which 20 had possible medical causes. These included factors such as hypoxia, fatigue, dehydration, alcohol and suicide. However, there is a degree of uncertainty in these statistics as the cause of the accident is often unconfirmed and a medical cause only suspected. Given the uncertainty in the medical cause data and the wide range of causes covered, not all of which would be affected by the change in medical standards, it was decided to focus the risk analysis on serious incapacitation in flight.

 

b) Third party risk

 

History shows that the probability of a GA accident causing injury to people on the ground is extremely low. Over a 10 year period from 2004-2013, out of the 151 GA fatal accidents, there were a total of six GA accidents involving third parties on the ground. Only two of these resulted in fatalities and both of these involved third parties involved in aviation activities rather than being uninvolved third parties. There were no fatalities to a third party as a result of serious incapacitation of the pilot.

 

This proposal has been assessed using the GA Policy Framework which is our method to assess the risk of changing regulation on third parties with no significant increased risk to third parties identified.

 

c) Risk of incapacitation in flight

 

Consideration was given to the risk of incapacitation in flight by looking at the likelihood of different medical conditions occurring which could result in pilot incapacitation. The focus was on conditions which could result in sudden incapacitation (e.g. heart attack, seizure) where the pilot may be unaware of symptoms at the start of the flight. This is based on an assumption that private pilots do not generally take part in recreational flying if they feel unwell and this is supported by feedback from the consultation.

 

Based on the maximum number of private pilots who could possibly take advantage of this new proposal, it is estimated that there could be a total of approximately two acute medical incapacitations events in-flight per year compared with approximately one at present.

 

Whilst the risk of pilot medical incapacitation is increased, the absolute risk of a medically caused accident is assessed to remain very low.

 

I support the AOPA call to remove the class 2 medical for private recreational pilots 100% as it is based on evidence and not a perception or arce covering process.

 

 

[Yenn]

Nev. I agree fully with what you say, except for cutting out salt. I eat plenty of salt and have no problems, but if i cut it down I get cramps and tired feeling. Being a cranky old man I just keep my salt intake up. My wife believed all the health food stories and reduced her salt intake. She had terrible attacks of diarroeah and vomiting, so bad that the first time it happened I got her to hospital. That fixed her, but no reason given. It happened several times at about 6 month intervals, resulting in her being bedridden for half a day or so and recovering naturally. She came to the conclusion that it was lack of salt causing her problem and has for about a year been eating more salt and had no problems. We have come to the conclusion that to exclude salt from the diet is possibly as bad as eating too much.

 

Otherwise exercise and all thing in moderation should keep you fit.

 

CASA would no doubt say that their having medical hoops to jump through has been beneficial, because if they did away with them all the people who couldn't currently pass, would then start flying. Of course there is no statistical evidence to prove them wrong.

 

 

[onetrack]

And as for going to the gym? Perhaps not such a good idea if you are no longer a teenager

Gym exercise styles have to be tailored to your age. Jogging isn't good for aged joints. Simple walking is acknowledged as one of the best exercises to keep good health.

Walking increases your heart rate, your aspiration rate, and keeps peristalsis active. But you need to walk reasonable distances, and for extended periods (10,000 paces a day is recommended, and preferably at least one 30 minute non-stop walk).

 

It's usually not difficult to do 10,000 steps a day, the missus and I wear pedometers, and it's surprising the distance you can cover, even in a walk around a couple of blocks.

 

Salt intake is governed by the ratio of prepared/manufactured food you eat, and the amount of food you cook yourself. When I cook, I might put in a 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a stew or casserole, depending on the size of the cooking utensil.

 

However, a lot of manufactured foods and prepared foods you buy from shops, cafes, supermarkets, etc., has a staggering amount of salt added to it - sometime 4 or 6 times you would normally use yourself.

 

This is done to prevent food from spoiling too soon, and ensuring a long shelf or storage life. So, be aware that when you haven't seen the amount of salt being added to the food you've bought, you're completely unaware of the amount used.

 

As a younger person, I never used salt at all on my food. As an older person, not far off 70, I find that adding a bit of salt and white pepper provides better flavour to ageing taste buds.

 

 

[derekliston]

At age 70 I have to say that the most annoying phrases that I hear from doctors and physios are "At your age" and "Age appropriate" I am constantly terrified of having a car crash because I don't want to hear myself referred to on the news as "the elderly driver" I am totally convinced that, to a large extent, age is a state of mind. I think that I am as fit now at 70 as I was at 40, maybe fitter because at 40 I didn't exercise regularly. I use two exercise regimes on alternate days :- day 1, 15mins on each of rowing machine, cross trainer, treadmill and exercise bike. day 2 :- prescribed by the physio (age appropriate!) three sets of, 10 squats holding a 10 kilo kettle bell, 10 lunges and four different weight machines the names of which I do not know. I can honestly say, I will never be a gym junkie, I do it because I have to pass that annual medical. It is a chore and takes commitment, but if the alternative is to lose my licence I'll keep doing it.

 

 

[facthunter]

As you point out 1 T, there is a staggering amount of salt in all processed food. Many people add salt before they've even tasted the food in front of them. With enough salt (sodium Chloride) added you won't taste much else but salt. When you reduce it you can then appreciate the food taste. Most people get multiples of what is required without adding salt to anything. I gave it up at about age 25, and I reckon it's one of the reasons I'm still around, and going OK, good kidneys and strong pulse in all limbs. Most cardiac specialists give the same advice. If I get cramps I take a Mag min. If you are in a hot dry climate you need lots of water and "some" salt, but if you eat bread, tinned anything, cakes, biscuits, cheese, butter Processed meat, sausages, you are getting more salt than required. Sugar , salt and trans fats preserve food and are added for that reason and are also cheap and peoples taste becomes addicted to them. Most of that stuff I would regard as junk food. Most toasted meusli's included. Nev

 

 

[phonetic]

Gees drivers licence you can drive a minibus with 12 people & CASA thinks you not allowed to fly 95.10 aircraft am I reading this wrong ??

 

 

[jetjr]

I and my doctor(also a DAME) has significant issues with the fact that the doctor has next to no input into the assessment of your medical

 

They are simply filling forms and ordering tests

 

 

[turboplanner]

I and my doctor(also a DAME) has significant issues with the fact that the doctor has next to no input into the assessment of your medicalThey are simply filling forms and ordering tests

Did anyone see the segment on yesterday's Today Show where the resident Doctor, after pointing out that Dean Mercer did not die of a Heart Attack, but used another term - rather like a journalist telling everyone that a Jab was a Cessna, and progressed through deaths in younger, fit people, to the causes which were that plaque is dislodged from arteries, and that there is a straightforward test to show whether you are in the high risk category, but no one orders it and GPs also don't seem to be suggesting it.

I haven't been able to find the segment on line.

 

 

[kgwilson]

A tiny bit of plaque (they think) is what caused my BRAO.