Diving may affect heart function

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Diving may affect heart function

October 06, 2013 - 13:48

Ultrasound scan of scuba divers' hearts found significant changes in cardiac function during and after a dive.

Concerns have been raised about the safety of diving for subjects with previous heart disease.

According to the Divers Alert Network, heart attacks and unknown heart rhythms are the most common cause of diving-related deaths after age 40,

This study documented that shallow-depth diving induces enlargement of left ventricles and diastolic dysfunction.

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.

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