Travelling

[123Abc123]

Has anyone with AFib travelled to Peru? I hope to do so in the summer but wondered whether the altitude may be a problem. I don't seem to have any breathing problems at the moment

[CDreamer]

Not Peru but did go skiing in Colorado from Denver. Yes, altitude did affect me, had to slow down a lot and I stopped everytime my HR exceeded 140. Hydration was a major problem as the air was SO dry I had to drink about twice what I would in UK - that would be 2 litres a day here.

It is really hard to say how it will affect you as everyone is different - I had problems before AF and had altitude sickness in Denver!

I think very slow aclimitisation will be key. Skiing in France it would be a week before I would say I was comfortable at 3000m.

Sounds very exciting, what will you be doing?

We are to Iceland in June, really looking forward to it.

[123Abc123 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for your reply. Iceland is fantastic! Hoping to go to Machu Picchu but using transport not walking! I'll definitely bear in my be the need to drink, I had a problem with dehydration once before.

[BobD Volunteer]

There is no doubt that anything which makes the heart work harder can exacerbate AF so be careful and pace yourself. Good hydration is vital so drink plenty even if you are not thirsty. Use the colour test. Pee should be the colour of dry white wine. If you get to look like Lucosade then drink more. Simples.

[123Abc123 in reply to BobD]

Thanks, I can cope with that!

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi 123

Person after my own heart, love travelling and like you Machu Picchu is on the bucket list.

So my experiences, and then what I have heard. Yes altitude can be a problem, anything which puts additional pressure on the heart for me means I have to take is easier, so walking up hill particularly, and walking in the heat, BUT all I do is plan to take twice as long as anyone else, and rest more and take it easy.

Altitude sickness itself, I am told is completely unpredictable, you will either suffer or not and this has nothing to do with AF and a really fit marathon runner can suffer terribly, whilst the chain smoking sofa jockey has not problems whatsoever. I understand there is a gene test for it now, but not many of us go that far,

What I would say is that if you suffer then AF is probably going to exacerbate the altitude sickness, acclimitisation helps of course, but not that easy in Peru as you know.

My research say Machu Picchu itself is not so bad only 2430 metres, but getting there via Cusco 3339 metres or Puna (to see lake titicaca) 3860 metres. That is often the challenge.

Anyway I am planning a visit to Colombia, (Bogota 2460 same as Machu Pichu) perhaps as early as May so I'll let you know how I get on.

Be well

Ian

[Vanna-C]

I went to La Paz in Bolivia, and Machu Picchu a couple of years before my AF was diagnosed, and was extremely breathless for the first few days. I leaned over to pick up my suitcase, and momentarily blacked out, but after a short rest was able to continue. Son who we were visiting lived on 11th floor of a block of flats, with no working lift, and it took the best part of an hour to get up there! However, a few days later I was able to walk around Machu Picchu with no problems, however, did go to the top by bus! Brilliant trip, enjoy yourself!

[AFCyclist]

I went on a cycling holiday to Colorado 3 months after an ablation last year. Highest passes were 12,000ft. We aclimatised in Boulder (6,000ft) for a few days before we set off for the higher stuff. Noticed the altitude even in Boulder that made me breathless and I used a heart monitor to try and keep things below 120bpm. I had one AF attack (perhaps silly to go cycling at altitude so soon after an ablation) but this reverted back on its own after a day. When in AF it was like a double whammy with the effects of AF being very similar to and combined with the effects of altitude. However managed fine and had a day off the bike. You just have to take things more slowly. Keep well hydrated.