Heart Condition Travel Insurance

Make a plan

• Choosing your destination wisely and planning your itinerary with care should help to minimise any potential risks. Talk to your doctor to see if any testing may be advisable prior to your trip to assure that the heart condition is stable. Address any new symptoms with your doctor before travelling and confirm that you are fit to travel. Pack using lightweight luggage on wheels preferably to avoid over exertion.

Choose the right destination

• Prepare your trip well in advance and choose a destination where you are confident in the medical facilities and that have good access to medical treatment. Check that your accommodation and local facilities are suitable. For example, avoid staying at a hotel situated at the top of a steep hill, miles away from the nearest town.

• If you’ve had a heart attack it is not advisable to travel to countries that experience extreme temperatures.

• High altitudes are best avoided if you have a heart condition. High altitude forces the heart to work harder, where a healthy heart can respond to the demands, if you have a history of heart disease, heart failure or valve disease your heart may struggle to cope. If you are in a location 2000m or more above sea level you should expect to find physical activity more difficult.

Organise your medication

• Make sure you have adequate supplies of prescribed medication, and extra in case you lose any. Make sure all heart medication is clearly labelled. Take a list of your heart medications and their dosages.

Medical history/info

• Carry a copy of this with you as well as phone numbers for your doctors/family members. Carry contact numbers and website addresses for pacemaker and ICD manufacturers and local representatives in the country you are visiting.

Be prepared when flying

• Thrombosis, or the formation of a blood clot in the veins of the leg, pelvis, or arms is a risk here. Sitting long hours, dehydration, and the lower oxygen levels in a plane cabin can all predispose a person to blood clots. Data has consistently shown that flights greater than eight hours pose the greatest risks.

• Travellers over 50 years old or those under 50 with one or more risk factors for deep venous thrombosis (such as obesity, large varicose veins, congestive heart failure, pregnancy, recent major surgery, use of hormone replacement therapy, or oral contraceptives) should wear below-the-knee compression stockings (20 Hg-30 Hg) when travelling on a plane for more than eight hours or 3,100 miles.

• Try and confirm aisle seating if you are at risk for deep venous thrombosis this will allow you to enter and exit your seat, walk around, and stretch your legs without disrupting other passengers.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages onboard and remain well hydrated.

Spa facilities

• It is generally not advisable to use spa facilities e.g. saunas, Jacuzzis or steam rooms if you have high blood pressure, angina, have had a heart attack or have any other heart condition.