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From: Mr. C. via Dr. Herr
I am a law enforcement officer and have had two Vaso-Vagal attacks that have put me into the hospital with 3rd degree heart blocks. It took electrical pacing in the emergency room to get me back as my heart was beating once every 2 to 3 seconds. They appear to be brought on by extreme physical exertion. The first episode I was picking a heavy table up over my head and putting it on the roof of my car. The second I was wrestling five officers in a hostage Training scenario. One officer used a pain compliance pressure point in my neck. I was in the hospital for a week on that one. The specialist did a catheterization and an EP study. They found only normal electrical activity and clear arteries with no abnormalities. He thought it was Vaso-Vagal and I asked for a tilt-table test that I had found out about on your website. This test was done and pointed towards Vaso-Vegal. It also showed that pressure to the side of my neck brought it on. As you say this seemed to confirm it but there is no satisfactory cure or management. He said I should Hydrate (10 glasses of water daily), ensure my minerals are up (potassium), use special medical pressure socks covering my legs, put my head down between my legs at the first sign and avoid the stimulus that sends me into the response. The last suggestion may cause me to lose my job in law enforcement.