A F and flying long haul

[trixie100]

Thinking about seeing family in australia if things get back to normal I have a terrible fear of having a stroke while up in the air what would happen ? Any thoughts on this?

[LaceyLady]

Talk to your Consultant, mine once said to me to talk to him before I fly and he’d give me some tips. Sadly didn’t get to South America because my insurers wouldn’t cover me due to the diagnosis, they wanted me to have more tests 🤷🏼‍♀️

[pd63 in reply to LaceyLady]

I've booked next year's holiday in July, off to Andalucia for 2 weeks driving short haul flight to Malaga but visiting Granada, Ubeda/Baeza, Cordoba, Ronda and Seville. Temperature could be 40ish but what the he'll, long time dead and funeral shrouds don't have pockets, just go on hols and don't fret.

[Jetcat in reply to pd63]

You’ll love it in Seville, beautiful area. We went a couple of years ago.👍

[Thecyclist]

Don't have AFib but do have other arrhythmia's which I am on high dose Bisoprolol. I flew to Oz at the end of 2019, my consultant was fine and just advised I didn't drink on the flight and that I should make sure my insurance is fully up to date in the case that the flight had to be diverted if I had any issues (real worst case scenario stuff).

Of course it all went well and I actually enjoyed the flight. I did ask for some Diazepam though from my GP as I can get anxious in the air, turbulence etc which I would normally have a drink or two to calm nerves, but couldn't on this flight. It was a godsend as the flight was rough coming home and the diazepam did its job.

Of course I think the issue may be when you will get to Oz, it doesn't look likely until 2022 earliest, maybe longer. Good luck if you do get there, it's an amazing country.

[CDreamer]

Not something I ever thought about. Stroke could happen any time, any place so I’m curious as to why it’s flying that triggers the worry thoughts?

I’ve done quite a lot of long haul, had AF in a few flights & just kept quiet about it and went to sleep, woke up feeling fine.

I’ve never had problems in the past with getting insurance for just AF, age & other conditions make it more expensive but still doable.

Australia will be difficult around quarantine so that would put me off and I think this will be our new normal for several years to come but hope I’m wrong. I have relations with business in Australia, US & Europe & they opted to stop travel & just focus on staying in one place because of compulsory quarantine adding costs & paperwork restrictions.

[trixie100 in reply to CDreamer]

I'm not afraid of flying its just a stroke on a long haul flight is so scary what could cabin crew do?

[CDreamer in reply to trixie100]

I understand, that my point was worrying about is more likely to have a detrimental affect than the flying. Seems you are afraid of being outside of immediate medical assistance, but not sure hiw medical assistance would help with stroke anyway?

You could be on top of a mountain, in the middle of the sea or stuck in traffic and outside of immediate medical help. At least flight crew will have 1st Aid training and flights are diverted in medical emergencies to nearest trauma centre.

It has never, ever gone through my mind. I’ve had a TIA and my understanding is that there isn’t much anyone could do anywhere. All that happened to me was observation & scan.

[AstroFish in reply to trixie100]

Trixie - I do think you are worrying needlessly altho being a nervous flyer I can understand your concerns but for me there are other more pressing worries about flying. It’s strange what terrors consume us. Having said all that I was on a flight to Iceland once, one of our friends was taken ill with a suspected stroke (it wasn’t actually, he just fainted but we didn’t know that at the time) but they did an emergency landing at Inverness and an ambulance was waiting for the hospital transfer. So if in the unlikely event that you needed emergency care I’ve since learned that planes make emergency landings routinely to transfer people to hospital, if necessary. But what are the chances ? Life’s a gamble anyway - relax and try to enjoy it . Easier said than done I know but something to aim for, in a post lockdown world.😊

[Ducky2003 in reply to CDreamer]

May be it's the thought of getting a DVT on a long haul flight that could be worrying trixie100 coupled with having AF and whether this gives rise to a greater risk?

[BobD Volunteer]

Why do you think that you might have a stroke whilst flying? You are on apixaban which protects and there is no real extra risk that we know of. You can't let these things rule your life and whilst I think Australia not a great idea at present once things settle down in a year or two I'm sure you will be fine.

[Rog65]

I spoke to my consultant about flying to NZ in 2019. He was quite happy and all went well on both flights. Check and go!

[Elephantlydia]

Providing your AF is controlled and you are taking your Apixiban plus it would be prudent to not drink too much alcohol and drink plenty of water you should have no problems.

[Smileyian]

Trixie as someone with AF for nearly 40 years with relatives in Adelaide Australia, family in UK and a daughter with her home in Palm Springs California I know how you feel. I am now retired in Singapore. To answer your question: although it is possible, it is extremely unlikely you would have a stroke whilst in the air. I mean EXTREMELY unlikely. If in fact it did happen, all long hall flights have staff fully trained in such matters and would attend to you until a diversion or planned landing. In any case, you will have taken your anti arrhythmia medicine and anticoagulant prior to boarding. Stay well hydrated and limit alcohol on such a long flight. You will naturally be concerned but the percentage of millions is in your favour. I hope you visit those relatives.

[Linkj]

I flew to Australia January 20, never entered my head that I would have problems. With apixaban we are probably safer than the rest of the passengers for risk of stroke. Wear flight socks, do flight exercises, lots on line and have a great holiday. My son and daughter in law are doctors in Australia, world standard of medical care if ever you needed it. Because of my breast cancer I am insured with AllClear and just added AF to cover, more pricey but fully covered. Have a great trip when we are allowed, I can’t wait to see my family.

[Clurmac in reply to Linkj]

My Son is a Dr in Oz too! Wish there was an end in sight to seeing him and the rest of the family! X

[Bawdy]

If I was so afraid I simply wouldn't even consider going.

[pusillanimous in reply to Bawdy]

I flew from Durban to Heathrow and back shortly before lockdown and it did not even enter my mind that I could have a stroke ! I took my meds. as usual wore my flight socks. More concerned that BA could provide such horrible food in Business Class !!!!

[Morzine]

Hi think we’ve all crossed those thoughts whrn we’ve wanted to get back to long haul again....for me I was encouraged and very surprised just how many of us do long haul....their encouragement made me decide to go back to Australia a year or so ago.It was absolutely fine. I can’t see why stroke would be an issue if you are in Apixaban or similar. I would say get there early so you aren’t having to rush fir plane. If I were you pre book seats in economy by the bulk head the extra legroom seats they aren’t much more. You can stretch out and if you look at the seating plan book the ones by the loo, so you can get up stand up whrn u want with a bit of space.

Ok you will be tired by end of journey, but that’s normal. We stopped off for two nights in Singapore so it was 14 /26 hours, then a couple of days relax and thrn we did the last six hours to cairns. Coming bavk we stopped half way just for night.

I never thought about AFib once I actually was on my journey, I think I spent more times working out whst films to watch etc.....!

I did a 4 thousand mile road trip while I was there. I worked on the surmise thst Australia has a great health service so why worry. I got insurance from worldwide health insurance.

Good luck! But of course at the mo Australia is closed for covid problem but I’m certainly goung again whrn it’s open

Best wishes

Sue

[TracyAdmin Partner]

It is so good to be making holiday plans once again! If you would like any advice regarding travelling, please do not hesitate to contact our Patient Services Team at the A F Association. It is important to remain hydrated, and to keep your medication with you in your hand luggage. Our A F Fact File also offers advice on staying safe whilst travelling abroad.

[Maggimunro]

We flew to Oz from Heathrow in January 2017 just 6 weeks after my second ablation. All was fine. I only take Apixiban but I did follow the rules and wore good compression socks, drank plenty of water and no alcohol, and did chair exercises and moved about the plane frequently. I don’t want this condition to rule my life.

[Barlick43]

I had heart attack two hpurs out of Heathrow with Cathy Pacific to Sydney for the birth of my first grandson. The crew was great....11 hours after I was delivered to a New Territories hospital in China. I was travelling alone. I am here 18 years later, flying to Australia every year for three months. I am in permanent AF, and last two years pacemaker dependant.

I suggest BUSINESS CLASS... worth every Penny for managing agitation, fear management etc, particularly with queues, timing etc. It also means you can lie flat the whole way with legs elevated. I suggest DRs letter clearly detailing your medical details and your meds to hand. I assume you take anticoagulants .....my consultant put me on rivaroxaban instead of warfarin cos of my frequent flying (son in Hong Kong/ Singapore/Sweden).

Don’t let AF keep you a prisoner. Gwynne now 77 and will resume trips as soon as Australia will let me in

[Staffsgirl]

I, too, have flown long haul (with doctor’s blessing) to see family. No problems.

[manabouttown]

Are you on blood thinning medication?

[trixie100 in reply to manabouttown]

Yes I'm on Apixaban

[manabouttown in reply to trixie100]

Well you should be ok as the apixaban prevents blood clots. I don't know wheter you can afford it but try and upgrade your seat for such a long haul flight - and remember no alcohol, drink plenty of water, don't over eat and stretch every hour on the flight.Bon Voyage

[belindalore]

If things get back to normal. With all the variants floating around I don't see that happening any time soon. Not being pessimistic. It's reality now. I hope like all of us that this nightmare ends but we have to continue to be safe. 😔

[Bigge]

I wouldn’t worry about going to Australia anytime soon. Those leaders there are crazy stupid.

[Aqua_1 in reply to Bigge]

Especially our NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian! She really let down our entire state this time!

[dani777]

i wouldn't do it. in 2019, i flew long haul from the UK to los angeles and my heart was palpitating badly the entire goddamn flight. my heart rate was sky high. i was terrified. if you have a heart rhythm issue, the altitude from flying can trigger something bad. so make sure you are on the right meds before you get on that flight. seriously.

[Hidden]

Absolutely no problems, done it many many times, like taking candy from a baby, no problems. Mind you - much though I'd love to return it won't be until the Aussie vaccination rate is at least up as high as our own .... AND FOR ALL AGE GROUPS ... which it isn't no matter what their Government may say. They took their eye off the ball.

John