Heart Disease and Travel

With some exceptions, having heart disease is not a reason to refrain from travelling. Indeed, the disease itself may be the reason for travel. Simple precautions will reduce the chances of trouble.

With some exceptions, having heart disease is not a reason to refrain from travelling. Indeed, the disease itself may be the reason for travel. Simple precautions will reduce the chances of trouble:

  • Travel is tiring. You may have to walk long distances in airports or while sightseeing and shopping, sometimes up and down stairs. Bags get heavier the longer you carry them. Do not be ashamed to ask for help.
  • You may have difficulty getting enough sleep, and jet lag can add to the stress of travel, so careful itinerary planning is an essential part of reducing the risk.
  • It can be useful to arrange for wheelchair assistance. Airlines prefer to know in advance that you may need help rather than dealing with an emergency. Airlines also need to know if oxygen may be required, as special arrangements need to be made, especially on smaller aircraft.

Because of the reduced oxygen supply, travelling by air is a little like exerting yourself while sitting and doing nothing. Planes are pressurised to an approximate equivalent altitude of 2, 440m (8,000 feet), at which level a healthy person will be comfortable with mild exertion. If at home you are breathless at rest or with very little effort, you are probably not fit to fly or will need oxygen on the trip. An airline rule of thumb is that you should be able to walk 100 metres carrying a suitcase at a reasonable pace with no discomfort. This is a minimum requirement, but you should still talk to your doctor about your fitness to fly if you are on treatment for cardiac failure or if your condition is not well controlled.

If you suffer from or have recently had one of the following conditions, you will need to discuss any plans to fly with your treating doctor.

 Airlines may also have their own requirements in such cases.

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Acute deep vein thrombosis
  • Uncontrolled and unstable angina pectoris
  • Uncontrolled significant heartbeat irregularity
  • Uncontrolled congestive heart failure
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure.

This is not an exhaustive list. The Qantas Group Medical Travel Clearance Guidelines may provide some guidance. You may need to check with your particular airline if you are concerned. As can be seen from the Qantas site, a mediform may need to be completed prior to travel.

Keep medications in the original pharmacy-dispensed pack and have a separate list of all medications taken, giving the trade and generic names, as the trade names vary between countries.

Security screening apparatus does not affect pacemakers. Because it may not be possible to access telephonic checking of pacemakers, the traveller should keep details of the type and make of pacemaker and a recent electrocardiogram trace.

Chest pain on exertion

Angina pectoris, if controlled by medication, is no bar to travel, but it is essential that you keep medication such as a sublingual nitrate spray or tablets in your pocket or handbag.

If you are on an anticoagulant such as warfarin, have an INR test done shortly before travel and another as soon as reasonably convenient at the final travel destination if you intend to stay there for more than a few weeks. Bear in mind that in some areas of underdeveloped countries, it may not be possible to get a test done.

A sluggish circulation

Smoking and/or being overweight or obese can predispose you to clotting of the veins in the calves. This is of particular concern when flying. Avoid tight-fitting clothing, exercise the feet and ankles while sitting, and get up and take a small walk now and then. Avoid alcohol or take it with plenty of water or soft drink.