Scuba diving and the heart. Cardiac aspects of sport scuba diving

Herz
Claus-Martin Muth, Kay Tetzlaff

Abstract

Diving with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) has become a popular recreational sports activity throughout the world. A high prevalence of cardiovascular disorders among the population makes it therefore likely that subjects suffering from cardiovascular problems may want to start scuba diving. Although scuba diving is not a competitive sport requiring athletic health conditions, a certain medical fitness is recommended because of the physical peculiarities of the underwater environment. Immersion alone will increase cardiac preload by central blood pooling with a rise in both cardiac output and blood pressure, counteracted by increased diuresis. Exposure to cold and increased oxygen partial pressure during scuba diving will additionally increase afterload by vasoconstrictive effects and may exert bradyarryhthmias in combination with breath-holds. Volumes of gas-filled body cavities will be affected by changing pressure (Figure 1), and inert gas components of the breathing gas mixture such as nitrogen in case of air breathing will dissolve in body tissues and venous blood with increasing alveolar inert gas pressure. During decompression a free gas phase may form in supersaturated tissues, resulting in the ge...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 3, 2012·Herzschrittmachertherapie & Elektrophysiologie·C W Israel
Apr 3, 2021·International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics : JOSE·Thomas MuthJochen D Schipke

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