Trainee Driver Medical Question

[Raul_Duke]

Hi, I have a question I'm not sure if anyone here can answer.

I have a trainee driver medical coming up soon, (I'd rather not say for which TOC.)

My only concern is that I had an episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 2014. Which is one of those things that sounds much worse than it is. It was basically an episode of a fast and irregular heartbeat that came out of nowhere for no reason.

I wasn't faint or blacking out, and I was able to concentrate perfectly well. I only found out I had it because I went to GP because I was feeling sweaty and tired, he sent me to A&E. They sorted it with someone drugs and then I was on medication for a while.

No issues with it for well over a year now. I had a heart scan and a stress ECG, and the cardiologist said my heart was all structurally normal. No disease or anything like that.

No current probs at all and no current meds taken. But I don't know if that will fail me as a new driver though?

 

[me123]

I'd be very surprised if that does cause you any problems whatsoever. There's certainly no reason that you couldn't undertake the job, and even if you did flip back into AF it won't cause any problems (i.e. you can continue driving a train, or at worst would be able to bring the train to a stop). From a medical (not railway) perspective, I'd be very surprised if this would lead to a failed medical; it sounds like you've had all the appropriate investigations with no concern identified.

 

[Stuart-h]

I'd be honest with the medical people. I'd also take with you all the drugs that your using to treat your condition.

 

[me123]

^He doesn't take any, as he's said. But absolutely, be honest with them. A lack of probity is much more likely to cause you problems than a mild heart condition that existed years ago.

 

[Raul_Duke]

Thank you for your replies!

It wasn't an issue in the end. Unfortunately I was that anxious about the medical by BP went up to 210/160!! (It's usually 125/80)

Nurse took it 3x and it came down each time. She said Dr would repeat it, but he didn't. Just said he couldnt sign me off until I'd seen GP about it.

Waiting for a 24H BP check now.