Bad interpretation of ECG
 

Hi, I recently went in for my class one medical to start flight school. The ECG came back indicating I have AFIB. After going for a second opinion (second ECG) which said my heart was completely fine, and sending my data to a friend that is a cardiologist, he responded with how is this guy even a doctor no AFIB even shows on your chart and he interpreted this incorrectly. I'm trying to keep costs down for the moment if I can to proof my case which is why I went to a friend and my local hospital for another test.

I'm so enraged. I have already reached out to my Aerospace Medical Division to see where I can submit my evidence or contest the results. Is reaching out to my Medical Division the best step to be taken to begin with? I don't want my start date pushed back too far. If anyone knows of something faster because I might be blinded by disappointment, please let me know.

Thanks.

If you have a copy of the original ECG it either will or will not show AFIB. Not the second one, AFIB can be intermittent, but the original one. Your cardiologist is right, it’s not a difficult diagnosis to make.

I wouldn't be enraged...

1. Some cardiac rhythm issues are occasional or intermittent, in fact everybody has them every now and then. These are considered normal/benign. Since the FAA EKG is only about six seconds, if you have the bad luck to have something spike during the EKG then the FAA might want you to wear a monitor for 24 hours so they can see exactly how often it pops up. If that's all it is, you'll be fine.

2. The EKG machine transmits the results to the FAA.

3. The AME, who is typically not a cardiac doc, may flag something which looks unusual (to him) for followup.

4. Sometimes the AME will hand you a medical, and then a couple months later, after the FAA reviews your EKG, you'll get a letter in the mail stating that you need to do specific followups within X amount of time in order to keep your medical active.

Is what it is, you're probably just fine. Did the AME deny the medical, or defer to the FAA?

You may want to research which local 1C AMEs are considered good by professional pilots, some are very cautious, and others are not helpful with any issues. The AME you saw *should* have explained the path forward to you?

Did you show the FAA EKG to your cardiologist friend? Like I said, it may have been something intermittent that they didn't catch on the later EKG. In that case the solution is probably a Holter monitor (24 hour annoyance).


Helpful hints... when you have your FAA EKG, don't do any any caffeine or supplements that morning. If you're in good cardio shape, do a set of pushups right before they hook you up to the machine. If you're in good shape, your heart may "idle" a little bit rough like a hot rod engine. Getting your heart rate up will minimize random spikes that might require followup. The nurse will not be surprised if a pilot does pushups.

Did you take any of the experimental Covid Jabb(s)?

AFib prevalence was about 1% long before COVID:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...02914909013885

it’s not really uncommon.

I've had this happen. FAA ordered me to see a cardiologist. Had to do blood work, holter monitor for 24 hours, nuclear stress test with treadmill and the whole shebang, and another ECG. They let me keep my medical while I was being evaluated. It took about 4 months and 4000 dollars out of my pocket since the cardiologist and the insurance company agreed that these test were completely unnecessary. I was 35 years old. Not a smoker. In good shape. No history of cardiac issues. In the end they said I was in great health and I could keep my medical. I stay away from caffeine before my medicals now and I haven't had any issues since. Very stressful time though.

Also, if it was indeed a bad interpretation. The FAA in Oklahoma City will review it and make their own decision.

My doc had me eat a banana in the morning before my EKG. Extra potassium to regulate your heart.

Yes. I should have mentioned that but didn't think of it because I always supplement electrolytes, not just for my medical.

But if a banana improves your heart function then you REALLY REALLY need to ensure that you get enough electrolytes on a daily basis.

If you do much cardio at all, you should supplement electrolytes. Bananas work fine in my experience.

I know two middle aged guys who died while exercising in a hot dry climate. Both were in good shape, and routinely did outdoor activities in the desert. Best guess was all the sweating depleted their electrolytes to dangerous levels. Been eating a lot of bananas ever since.

Went to the cardiologist and she took one look at the ECG and said there is no sign of AFIB at all and she had written up a note for me saying I'm fine. My AME seemed to be lazy as the ECG said AFIB on the readout, and he just went with it. I also spoke with FAA today and I was cleared from Oklahoma. My heart was fine. I'm just ****ed my AME told me to be class three medical and stick to local flights.