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Travelling with a heart condition

Preparing your trip

Are you fit to travel?

  • As travelling is a tiring experience that can strain your body, you should be cautious about your general health while away, especially if you are suffering from heart condition. Still, a heart condition is not a reason to refrain from travelling as long as your condition is stable. Simple precautions can reduce the chances of possible trouble.
  • You can consider yourself fit to travel if you have recently tested within normal ranges for stress or had a negative angiogram and your doctor has given you medical clearance. If medication was prescribed to control congestive heart failure or arrhythmia, you should remain on it. If you have had surgery in the last six months to restore blood flow to the heart (bypass surgery, stent placements, or angioplasty), you may travel if you feel well enough to do so. In any case, wait at least two weeks after a procedure before travelling long distances. Well-controlled angina (chest pain), blood pressure, heart rhythm problems or heart failure are usually not a problem, but you should reconsider your plans if any of these conditions get worse.
  • Do not make travel plans if less than four to six weeks have passed since you had a heart attack without complications or less than eight weeks in the case of a heart attack causing shock or heart failure. Likewise, do not travel if you have recurring acute chest pain, heart failure, or rhythmic disturbances that present symptoms when you are at rest. If you have a heart condition and diabetes, you will need to consult with your cardiologist.

    • Choosing your destination

  • Choose your destination carefully, as local conditions may impact your heart condition. While cold weather strains the heart and might increase the risk of heart attacks, hot weather can lead to dehydration, which stresses the heart. Be especially aware of the risk associated with visiting developing countries. In many countries, the lack of health care facilities, services and equipment in addition to poorly trained staff can have serious consequences if you should suffer a health problem linked to your condition.

    • Medical preparations

    See your physician

  • In any case, especially if you haven't had a checkup recently, see your physician. Explain your travel plans, so that he can assess any risks linked to your condition and confirm that there are not limits on your activities. Depending on your destination, your physician might choose to perform a clinical assessment. Ask him to write your usual prescription twice (one of them should indicate the generic name of the medication in English), enabling you to obtain a refill should you run out while away.

    • Medication

  • Regarding your prescribed medication, it is best to take with you twice the amount that would be sufficient for the duration of your journey. Keep the medication in its original packaging to avoid problems with customs and to aid doctors in case of an emergency. If possible, store your medication in two different bags, but keep in mind that one of them should always be close at hand (e.g. in carry-on luggage) so that you can easily access your medication if necessary. As travelling to certain countries might necessitate additional medication for protection from local tropical diseases, you should be aware that these might not be recommended if taken in combination with your usual medication. Therefore, it is important to ask your physician for advice.

    • What to take with you

  • When travelling to a foreign country, remember to carry certain documents with you. For example, request request a written summary of your medical history, including a recent electrocardiogram and carry it with you during your trip. Remember to write down your doctor's name and contact details so that he can be contacted in case of an emergency. It is also a good idea to bring a list of all the medications you are taking, including their dosage.

    • Travel insurance

  • We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance before leaving, as you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition. Medical bills can be very expensive abroad, and if any health problem related to your heart condition should arise, insurance will be a must.

    • Transportation

    By plane

  • Even though heart-related problems account for a high percentage of all in-flight medical emergencies, the risk is rather low among people with stable heart conditions: cardiac incidents occur in only one to two patients per million during air travel. People who can walk 100 meters on flat ground at a reasonable pace without discomfort or breathlessness are usually considered safe to fly, but it is best to ask your physician beforehand for advice.
  • Pacemakers are not affected by security screening machines, but it is best to tell security personnel before passing through the metal detectors. Do not forget to keep details about the type and brand of your pacemaker close by, as well as an electrocardiograph tracing.
  • While boarding the plane, remember to keep your medication close at hand in case of an emergency. As one of the risks of flying with a heart condition is the formation of blood clots, you should hydrate yourself regularly and encourage your blood circulation. To this end, do not drink alcohol and sit close to the aisle if possible so that you can easily get up to walk around.

    • By car

  • Travelling by car can be stressful and can strain your heart. Make sure to take breaks every two hours and avoid driving at night. If you take any medications, keep in mind that some of your regular medication might cause drowsiness.

    • At your destination

    Precautions

  • Be aware that the first few days of a trip are the hardest on your heart; you should therefore be careful not to strain yourself too much by taking long walks or making sudden movements. You should also be aware of environmental conditions that could put you at risk. For example, be careful when walking at altitudes above 2,000 meters of altitude, as your heartbeat increases at this height. Do not swim in water that is cooler than 20 degrees Celsius, and protect yourself from the sun. It is best to keep your medication with you and tell your travel companions about your condition.

    • In case of emergency

  • You should seek medical attention if the following symptoms occur: an irregular, unusually fast (greater than 100 beats per minute) or very slow (lower than 50 beats per minute) pulse; shortness of breath; light-headedness; excessive fatigue or swelling of the legs. If you feel pressure in your chest and pain that radiates to your neck, jaw and left arm, a heart attack is likely to occur. Additional symptoms include sweating, nausea, and/or light-headedness.
  • In case of emergency, above all, try to stay calm. If you suddenly experience an unusual problem related to your disease, alert people around you and seek medical help. Once medical help has arrived, give any documents related to your condition to the physician. After help has been provided, ask for a record (in English) of the treatment provided as well as contact details (phone and fax) so that your doctor can follow-up. If possible, also ask for duplicates of any performed tests or radiographs.

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