If you need a stress test and can’t complete the Bruce, I’m pretty sure the FAA can accept a chemical stress test, if your cardiologist can explain why you can’t do the treadmill. I agree with the AOPA with the caveat that if there is cardiac disease, folks should do what their cardiologist tells them to do. BMed is a good option.
Thankyou.
Good old stethoscope and doctor ears-brain not to be overlooked, mine noted a little blip on occasion, just something to be aware of long term.
Pulling over is more difficult in an airplane, take someone with you who has some pilot training as I hope the lady who landed a Kingair in Bakersfield may now do. She did OK with advice from pilot but …
What is a ‘chemical test’ in this context?
There’s also risk of blood clot.
I know someone who had one, fortunately near the bottom of brain so not as damaging.
Knew risk would increase but between that person and doctor were slow to reduce risk.
That person had a Master Mariners license but didn’t command more than a 60 foot yacht.
It is a cardiac stress test but instead of using exercise to bring the heart up to capacity, it uses drugs to increase the load on the heart, simulating heavy exercise. It can be used for those with poor exercise ability. For pilots, arthritis or lung issues sufficient to require a non-exercise stress test it could open up a new set of problems.
As for clots the main cardiac causes are irregular heartbeats and those are usually treated with anticoagulation. As for strokes, they can be devastating or fatal anywhere in the brain. Prevention and immediate treatment if they occur is essential a stroke or potential stroke is always a 911 lights and sirens call in my book. But we are far off the beaten path or this topic.
Thankyou.
Using ‘drugs’ to stress heart sounds dangerous in itself.
Our path is pilot incapacitation, we are discussing screening for risk.
Ps: I went to a neurologist who specializes in dizziness. He is a former NASA flight surgeon and so really knows the vestibular system.
Since dizziness can be a symptom of serious disease , it is important to get to the bottom of it. My neighbor’s vertigo turned out to be from a brain tumor.
Thanks.
One dummo responded to a person’s recommendation to get checked out by saying he’d just stop and ‘have a pint’. (Not a pilot fortunately, he had spent time in England so meant a pint of booze.)
BTW, there are body maneuvers to move the crystals in your hearing system to a location where they won’t interfere, at least for a while. A doctor who suffered from them made a video of the contortions she recommends.
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