Going on holiday with a heart condition

People with a heart condition often wonder if they can go on holidays, especially abroad, without risking complications.

If you are planning to go on a holiday, it is essential that you talk to your doctor about your plans. He will give you all the necessary prescriptions and ideally will write an  letter explaining your condition and your treatment that you should always carre with you.

When choosing a destination it is recommended to pick a relaxing holiday, and not to plan too many activities in order not to tire yourself too much. The place where you will stay should have all the necessary commodities and communications, and should be in easy reach.

Have you already gone on a holiday having a heart condition?

Tell us about your experience and share your tips!

Flying is normally out and it is the insurance that is key as many serious conditions you can't get any cover!

I went abroad for the first time for 4 years, due to health problems. I was apprehensive, but decided to take the plunge. I have dilated cardiopathy caused by system scleroderma and other health problems, resulting in me having to have an internal defibullater/pacemaker fitted. I managed to obtain an annual travel insurance policy, although it was expensive, but obviously essential. I needed to have a 'fit to fly' letter from my GP and had to avoid the airport body scanner. Now that I have done this once now, I feel more confident about going again, but would probably stick to short haul flights and to countries with good health facilities.

Hi I went to the USA and got insurance for everything! The company was All State. 

I'm flying to the states on Thursday, I had no concerns about going until I read these posts. 

I have insurance, I have my meds. 

Am I safe to go?

@Jojo44

Hi, the most important things for a safe trip are to have all your meds on you as well as a good insurance, and to have no medical contraindications. Have you spoken to your doctor about your travel plans? 

I am currently under going investigations of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. I have had 24 hour Holter Monitor test done and today I had an Echo Cardiogram. In October I have an appointment to Implant a Recordable Loop which records all abnormal heart beats. I would dearly love to hear from any one who has such a loop implanted

i will be grateful to hear from any one whio knows more about this loop implant

Thank you

nineteen_gale

hi all I have cardio myopathy ; I had an aortic valve replacement in 2011 then my heart went into arthriymea so now have a pacemaker and just last month was told I have cardiomyopathy ; I'm flying to vegas next feb I got insurance through I clear it cost a lot of money but at least I'm covered 

chris b

Hello everyone, 

How are you? I thought I would reopen this discussion as we are in the summer holiday period.

How do you prepare for a holiday with your heart condition? Is there anything you make sure to bring with you? What kinds of activities do you avoid? Is there anything we should know?
@GLOJO1‍ @geckoflying‍ @Rainbow Chaser‍ @Rubyayyub‍ @Chrissy2674‍ @Mcburnes‍ @Angela27‍ @Allannewby‍ @Bristolbob‍ @Kevsed‍ @Flora75‍ @Dalrossi‍ @Carol117‍ @LeanneGlanville‍ @Kevinodell1‍ @Michie‍ @Tazz71‍ 

Take care,
Courtney

@Courtney_J We're not going on holiday this year, but usually if we go abroad, I have a medicine chart that I print out for my husband where we write down all of his medicines and their information (name, tablet colour, use, dosage, prescribing doctor's name and phone number, any special instructions, etc.) and I make copies of his prescriptions so I have the molecule name in case something happens.  And then in terms of destination, I've heard that places with high altitude like the mountains can be harder on the heart, so we try to pick places with low altitude. It works out for us because we're more "beach people" anyway. :)