Flying with AFib

[Kaz747]

I’ve seen a lot of conversations on this forum about flying with afib. I stumbled across this article today so I thought I’d share it as it’s a good summary of what to be aware of. Living in the most isolated capital city in the world, every flight for us is a long one. ✈️

afib.newlifeoutlook.com/fly...

[Dangerousdriver]

Good article Kaz, I flew to Abu Dhabi last November just after I was diagnosed and was concerned about flying given how frequent my bouts were, but I clearly didn't follow any of the instructions listed. I had a night flight which I intended to sleep, but instead got talking to an Army Trauma Doctor and we sat up all night talking, and even intervened (I have some minor medical experience) when a passenger collapsed which resulted in us getting a free bottle of champagne which we drank! I then landed in the morning and was shown the sights all day by my friend who lives there and in the evening I went to the cinema now not having slept for 32 hours, and low and behold BOOM a big Afib session which only corrected itself after a good sleep and a Bisoprolol.

The lesson here and even now post ablation was to avoid staying up for long periods, as I noticed I feel worse when I do not sleep much.

[Kaz747 in reply to Dangerousdriver]

I haven’t flown since my AFib/flutter diagnosis. I did fly to America after my SVT diagnosis and was on medication. As that trip was less than 6 months after major ankle surgery and I was worried about blood clots so we used our FF points to upgrade to business class which was wonderful. Unfortunately we only had enough points for a one way upgrade so it was cattle class on the way home and 36 hours of traveling - 3 flights, 7 hours in transit at LAX and 6 hours in Brisbane after we missed our connection. I’d hate to do that with AFib! I haven’t been on a plane this year (So unlike me). I’m too unstable to fly at the moment but hopefully next year we can enjoy a holiday. Luckily we live in a holiday destination so we are holidaying at home.

[AbFab62]

Oh dear! Maybe I'm a bit of a maverick, but I don't take any of the precautions listed. I've suffered paroxysmal, lately persistent AF for 30 years, albeit 'lone' AF, i.e. I have no comorbidities and I'm generally pretty fit for a 55 year old. My work involves flying on a regular basis. Take two weeks ago as an example where I had to fly to Spain and back in a day. Up at 3.15am for a 5.55 flight, after just three hours sleep. Work all day on my feet, then fly home on 9.10pm flight arriving home at midnight. A week prior to that I worked in Athens. Arrived at Athens Airport at 1.00am, in my hotel room at 2. I had to be up for work at 6.00am. Worked all day again on my feet. Flight home in the evening.

Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones, if anyone with AF can be called lucky, but I'll still go swimming, climbing and hill-walking when in AF. This is the life of this afibber, but then I never let my dicky ticker stop me living MY life.

[Kaz747 in reply to AbFab62]

They often say it’s easier with persistent or permanent AF. I guess it all depends on how symptomatic you are. At the moment if I’m in AF (and I’m having daily episodes) I struggle to walk up the stairs. I also have pericarditis so being in pain doesn’t help. I will get better soon and be back in the air ✈️ 😉

[AbFab62 in reply to Kaz747]

Sorry to hear that you suffer so, but I hope you do indeed get better soon and will be able to enjoy foreign holidays again. Good luck.

[BobD Volunteer]

Just what we have been saying for years. Above all give yourself plenty of time to avoid stress and stay well hydrated.

[jennydog]

Thank you for posting this.

I was interested to note the importance of keeping legs straight out rather than bending at the knees.

When I flew from Manchester UK to Boston USA and back, 7 hrs each way, I was surprised to see so many people with bare feet wearing flip flops.

[Angie06]

Thanks Kaz, I'll be flying over to Perth from UK next March and had often wondered why I had felt continually thirsty when flying and dehydrated for a few days afterwards. I very rarely sleep on my flight over as it's so uncomfortable in economy so now I've booked to go business class so I can stretch out my legs(with flight socks) and taking a break in Singapore so hopefully not too tired when I get to Perth. Now I just have to have enough self control to say 'No' to the drinks on offer in business!

[Kaz747 in reply to Angie06]

I thought it was interesting that it said to load up with water in the days before flying. I didn’t have AFib when we flew business class to America so when we boarded the flight at 9.00am and the cabin crew greeted us by name with a tray and 2 glasses of champagne and said with a smile, “it’s compulsory” we didn’t refuse 🥂🍾😃

[Offcut]

I was told that try to keep flight to no more than 3.5 hours and wear flight socks and try to keep moving. I do have unstable AF.. Unfortunatly I have aquired many other conditions that mean flying is not advised at all now!

Be well

[Kaz747 in reply to Offcut]

We wouldn’t even make it to the other side of Australia with a 3 1/2 hour flight 😄. It’s tough when your mind wants to do things but your body won’t let you.

[Offcut in reply to Kaz747]

I know that feeling so well! I think I am 18 still, but my body reminds me that I am not. I usualy tell people if they ask what is wrong with me " I am Broken" rather than go though the list of ever growing conditions.

Be Well

[WendyWu20]

I'm a regular flyer. I've flown while in AF and just tried to sleep through it. Fortunately I'd got through the initial stage of needing to wee every five minutes! My only concern is starting an AF episode during a flight, and the need to wee frequently would be both annoying and embarrassing.

[Rocky-athlete]

FYI, by regulation aircraft must be pressurized to below 8,000'. Typically it is a little lower than that at cruising elevation. Altitude symptoms usually peak 24-36 hours after arrival, but on a long overseas flight, especially landing at high elevation, this may be a subtle factor.

Increased breathing rates lead to blood alkylosis (from breathing off too much CO2 as a side effect of trying to get more O2). The alkaline blood leads to increased urination, thus dehydration. Its interesting that dehydration can be a trigger for AF and increased urination an outcome. Drink water!