Has anyone associated with the Camp Lejeune toxic water issue had any unexplained cardiac issues?

2019-05-09T11:02:46-04:00

10 years ago, at age 47, I was diagnosed with Sinus Node Dysfunction and had to get a pacemaker. But I had no underlying cardiac disease. My cardiologist said this is very unusual considering I was running marathons at that time and in excellent condition.

Response by Sgt Douglas Berger made May 9 at 2019 1:15 PM

2019-05-09T13:15:12-04:00

This happen to me. It started with Sinus Bardicardia, AF, CHF, severe LVS, and other heart conditions_ the list is long. It was my cardiologist who suggested I go to the VA and ask for their opinion because there was no reason my heart should be acting the way it was_ it was many years before the condition presented itself_ then over 10 years of appeals before the VA recognized the relationships causing heart conditions. Then 2015 the released a news article saying science studies were showing the possibility of a connection_ exactly what I had been showing them for many years, and supported by Science. I was not like you a marathon runner, but I belonged to a 50 mile swim club and "had" a strong heart

Response by CAPT George Sheppard made May 9 at 2019 1:24 PM

2019-05-09T13:24:38-04:00

I have. I had a heart attack at age 58 in spite of no smoking, low cholesterol, low triglycerides, no family history of heart disease, vegan diet and daily exercise. I had gotten an Apple watch and had noticed that I had a very low resting heart rate, like in the high 30s/low 40s, and went to see a cardiologist. I had a stress test, lasting 15 minutes on the treadmill and had no detectable cardiac issues. He thought the slow hear rate was due to exercise, but I was suspicious. I mean, I exercised an hour and a half every day but I was no Olympian.

Six weeks later I had a massive heart attack that damn near killed me. They wanted to put in a pacemaker due to my slow heartbeat, which they diagnosed as sick sinus syndrome, but I wanted to wait and see if I really would need it, and I haven't yet.

Response by Jenn Moynihan made May 9 at 2019 4:16 PM

2019-05-09T16:16:18-04:00

I just found this ruling where the cardiac issue WAS found to be related to the toxic water. I imagine there are others.

https://www.va.gov/vetapp14/Files6/1445364.txt

1445364.txt

Response by PO2 Andrew Carpenter made May 9 at 2019 5:09 PM

2019-05-09T17:09:05-04:00

According to my cardiologist, my heart did it's own bypass. He checked me before I went into my kidney cancer surgery and that's when he found it.

Response by Kiersten Childs made May 9 at 2019 6:14 PM

2019-05-09T18:14:50-04:00

It wasn't anything cardiac but my uncle was stationed at Camp Lejeune during the toxic water issues and was also overseas in Vietnam. He died last year from Multiple Mylenoma due to exposure to Agent Orange.