Could I Be A Surgeon Even Though I Have a Heart Condition?

[RichardHurtingOW]

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I've got HCM, and a pacemaker/defibrillator too. I'm at an increased chance of sudden death and my doctor says I should avoid doing physically intensive jobs like construction work but I'm cleared for jobs that require hussle and lots of physical activity. Really I don't have any symptoms to speak of after a surgery I had when I was 15, and I'd love to be a surgeon. Do you think I could be one even with my condition?

 

[caffeine is my drug]

I don't have the experience to know, but I sure hope you can. Best of luck!


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[Pmrapplicant11]

Best person to ask is your treating cardiologist.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Best person to ask is your treating cardiologist.

Well since his cardiologist is not a surgeon, I'd venture its probably better to ask a surgeon.

This is yet another in the long line of, "I have <insert medical malady>, can I be a surgeon?" type of thread.

The biggest issue in the OR for *patients* with pacers/defibrillators is electromagnetic interference from the Bovie. But even if you were to have a Bovie burn (most likely on the hand), its sufficiently at a distance from the device that interference shouldn't be a problem.

Finally, I'm not sure that a surgical career requires a lot of "physical activity"; you're upright a lot to be sure.

 

[ACSurgeon]

Well since his cardiologist is not a surgeon, I'd venture its probably better to ask a surgeon.

This is yet another in the long line of, "I have <insert medical malady>, can I be a surgeon?" type of thread.

The biggest issue in the OR for *patients* with pacers/defibrillators is electromagnetic interference from the Bovie. But even if you were to have a Bovie burn (most likely on the hand), its sufficiently at a distance from the device that interference shouldn't be a problem.

Finally, I'm not sure that a surgical career requires a lot of "physical activity"; you're upright a lot to be sure.

Maybe it's just my program, but I run around a lot.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Maybe it's just my program, but I run around a lot.

If you're having to run to save time, you must not be very efficient LOL 😉

But as long as you're not running in your sports bra around the campus. I'm sure. you're fine


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