I was diagnosed with AF at Christmas. I’m in my late 30’s and mother of 4. My af was new and fast (230bpm). After 30 or so hours I self converted back to sinus rhythm on the cardiac care ward in hospital. Since then I’ve had many episodes, sometimes 2-4 in a week but then sometimes a good three weeks without any but the bisoprolol stops my heart going any higher than 105bpm now during episodes. Recently I was flying back from Helsinki and was only five minutes into the flight when I felt myself go into af (breathless, dizzy, sense of doom/anxiety, adrenaline flip flopping in my stomach and of course erratic fast-pulse). My gp had said it would be fine to do my normal life things including flying. My outwards flight had been ok; I was well rested etc. But flying home I had had a run of several nights of poor sleep that week and also very long days visiting schools and walking 10-15K each day. I know that lack of sleep is a trigger for me. Unfortunately on this homeward flight it was a particularly bad episode of af. I needed oxygen the whole flight and They talked of landing in Sweden instead of the UK. Instead they sped up and cleared the runway at Heathrow and we landed 45 minutes early (ahead even of earlier flights from Finland!) where paramedics were waiting. I felt pretty ill tbh but also a little ridiculous. There was a wonderful consultant on the flight who specialised in respiratory illness in intensive care from Guys and St Thomas who was really helpful and kind and advised on taking more bisoperolol (all I had with me) and said on-board hypoxia can make the heart work harder (I had no idea that there is 20% less oxygen available when flying). Has anyone else experienced this when flying? I’m now afraid to take another flight!! Can there be something to take for this situation? What have you done whilst flying? I cannot guarantee that I should always be well rested unfortunately, although I try very hard to make that a reality.
Flying and Afib - terrible experience - Atrial Fibrillati...
Flying and Afib - terrible experience
Wow! Quite an experience for you...one you could have done without.
I can't relate to a similar flying experience as I've never flown since my AF diagnosis over 26 years ago.🙄 Your experience was exactly what I was frightened of as my AF was always frighteningly rapid for the first 16 years anyhow and nothing but DCCV could get me back to sinus rhythm. ( Always travel overseas by ship now....)
It will be interesting to hear how others cope with a bad episode on an aircraft.
Regards
J
What a hideous experience! but good to hear how well you were cared for.
We were thinking of flying on our next holiday but I discovered the oxygen info on the BHF website today in an article about 'Flying with a heart condition'. It was very helpful and mentioned that you can arrange in advance to have oxygen during the flight. Anyway I have decided we're going by Eurostar - much greener 🌴.
Some people on this forum have said how taking a Diazepam tablet, which is a drug that eases anxiety, has helped calm their AF. I feel sure a doctor wouldn't say no to prescribing just one or two. I'm flying in October and your post has made me think I may ask about having a couple of them just in case.
Jean
I've tried it. It works! I take along 5-6 10 mg. pills when I fly b/c I've developed a fear of flying over the past couple of decades, even though I love to travel. Just having them handy is reassuring. Also GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), although I'm sure U.S. docs would scoff at it because it is sold as a supplement here.
They scoff at a lot of things that aren't medical school curriculum; but many supplements come from millennia of Chinese, Indian and other folk medicine and, in my experience, often work better than Pharma meds.
Afib is however a hard nut to crack. I've been experimenting with different things for many years w/o much success. Recently trying Dr. Sinatra's "metabolic cardiology" recommendations, and haven't had a bout of afib in the 3 wks. or so I've been doing it. Of course, that certainly doesn't demonstrate a cure. We all know that afib will creep back at any time, especially when you are sure you are rid of it.
Sounds like a dreadful ordeal. Have your doctors spoke about an ablation, being so young and symptomatic? I’m certainly a lot better since my last ablation in March. I haven’t flown since my AF diagnosis (prior to that I’d have 4-6 plane trips a year with work and holidays). We’re planning our trip to Europe next year and being in Australia it’s around 18 hours flying time plus transit through Asia or the Middle East so I’m excited about the trip but a little nervous about the travel.
Here’s an article I shared last year on AF and flying:
And here is the link to one of my posts from last year which contains a podcast recorded at a medical conference where the Chief Medical Officer at Qantas speaks about medical emergencies in flight. I found it fascinating. It also made me realize that you’re far more likely to have a doctor on your flight if you travel with a full service airline and not a budget carrier ✈️✈️
healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
I’m grateful you posted those links again Kaz. A good read and listen for the likes of me ... in 18 days I’m due to take my first long-haul flight since diagnosis, flying to Canada to join my husband who’s going 9 days earlier. I’ve been feeling pretty anxious about it, especially as it’ll be the first time I’ve flown without him beside me for 17 years 😬!
Thank you x
Have a wonderful time. Don’t stress and follow all the steps outlined. I love getting on a plane by myself- no husband, no kids. I can sit back a read or watch a movie without being disturbed 😃
I am 59 years old and developed AF about 2 years ago but long before that I have had a fear of flying particularly turbulence, (following two particularly scary flights.) For my business /job I fly approximately 60 international flights a year, and other transport means are not really an option. I am not an expert on AF but I am an expert on being scared of flying but doing it anyway!
There are similarities, experts tell me that AF is not life threatening and I should not worry as long as I take my anticoagulant drugs and all I experience is AF , The statistics confirm that is the truth.... but the episodes still frighten the life out of me and make me anxious and depressed. The same with flying! Everyone tells me (and I agree) the risks of flying are very (Very) low and that turbulence, whilst uncomfortable, is not dangerous to life..... All well and good BUT, my view is that: you cannot use rational argument to remove an irrational fear, so I will not tell you how safe flying is etc etc… who cares? it is frightening and I wish I did not have to do it (Along with a LOT of frequent flyers).
What helps me … I am on 50mg Flecainide two times a day with up to two more tabs each half day as PiP and this seems to control my rate well normally, and when I feel the first "Bumpy" beats I take a PiP. I believe that having them and having confidence they actually do something makes them more effective too.
I have good travel insurance so if I really do not want to fly that day, I don't have to. for me that takes away the horrible pressure of "I don't feel right but I HAVE to get on the plane" that makes it worse and used to 50% of the time put me in 150 bpm territory.
I researched cabin oxygen and whilst it is lower if all you have is AF I am certain the stress on yr system is only similar to a brisk walk, I guess the fear of the number (20% less) is something that I don't have.
finally I always rest the day before I fly it needs planning but it works and I make sure my itinerary is a "me friendly" as possible with length of flight and how long after I get there before I can go to bed sort of stuff. That makes it easier for me.
Hope this helps
S
Hi there....your experience on that flight was horrible... i can so empathise.
I have a similar problem but not had such a serious episode as you on a flight. I get very excited/anxious before flying and have trouble sleeping. Its not fear of flying just over excited. no sleep at all which triggers AF episide during night before or when im at airport or on plane. It's horrible waiting for it to happen not knowing when. I now onltly take Bisoprol and Abixiban as well. Used to have Flecainide as pill in pocket but local cardiologist wont prescribe as not having frequent AF episodes and they haven't managed to record any on ECG since having Ablation 4 years ago. Waiting for Holter monitor appt has been 7 weeks now since saw Cardiologist. I'm seeing consultant at Guys in October but meantime im going on holiday in 12 days time ... flying and guess what...have started getting short episodes of AF. Had 2 in a week. In between lots of Ectopics and some SVTs.
Have nothing other than Bisoprol to take which only slows heart rate.
Tried Diazipan once and it made me feel ill. Was going to try Kalms to see if i can control anxiety (its not worry its excitement i cant control) and adrenaline. I did have Propanalol prescribed by GP few years ago but cardiologist said not to take it. Would also like to know of any other things people have tried l found helps.
Your experience is something I dread a lot. I recently flew overseas and I also share the problem of being more prone to AFib if I lack of sleep. I also dread a lot the jet-lag part, actually, for this reason. I found that a 20 something drops of hawthorne can be of benefit. No prescription required.
Oh my,! What a hellish experience. We just complete another 16 hour flight a couple of weeks ago. Ive had afib for over 2 years, average of 2-3x a week, 140-180+, lasting 4-26 hours. No medicine other than blood thinners. We live in florida and fly internationally a 3-4x times a year. Yeah, I notice a difference in the O2 levels while we are flying and if I havent had enough sleep, or a real culpret is not enough water, before and during flights, can trigger it. In preparation for any long flights, I will drink alot of water before going to the airport, and while we are flying.
My husband and I also fly, as we have a small plane. (no, I am no longer a pilot because of the health issues) Im much more concerned with onset in our plane, than I am overseas, since there are no bathrooms or rest stops in the sky.. We also dont fly at high altitudes, so the O2 usually isnt affected.
We spent 3 weeks in Thailand and Vietnam a couple of months ago. Had several "incounters" with my monster during our trip. But I was not going to allow it to take this trip from me. I refused to worry that it would, could, or may happen. It was not going stop living and doing, just because the monster may or may not show up on any paticular day. Not going to borrow trouble, I try to live in the moment, stay out of the futures "what if's". My phlosphy has always been live without regret and without fear. This is QOL, quality of life.
and ps.. Being a good old girl scout, I always carry Diltizam with me.
I feel for you.what a horrible experience. must have been awful.
However from my own experience since my diagnosis 4 years ago (PAF) I have flown to Australia and back on my own three times with various usual aggro at airports etc (stress is not good for my AF) and also to India and back three times, plus one internal flight to Inverness without any problems whatsoever.
It has never been an issue and long may it continue as my family are in australia.
Bambi I found your comments inspiring and could not agree more
Mmm, we’ve had
To cancel our trip to South America because I’d had an episode of AF, not had the CT Angiogram before then insurance needed renewing 😢 Well, before that news, my cardiologist said he’d give me some tips before we fly. I don’t know them but could be handy. I’ve got to make an appointment soon, I’ll try to ask.
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