Flying with afib

[Norfolk_spaniel]

I have persistent afib and am waiting for an ablation which should happen in October. I am on blood thinners but can't tolerate any other medication. I'm a 70 years old female in good health apart from the afib. It has been an awful year and I suddenly have a chance to go to Greece with friends. What are other peoples' experiences of flying with afib?

[BobD Volunteer]

Give yourself plenty of time to avoid any panics avoid alchohol and stay well hydrated. I flew often to motor races in Europe when I had AF.

[Hidden]

Lots of folk with AF fly regularly and I cannot recall any posts from members regarding problem. I’m assuming this will be before your ablation so it shouldn’t have much of a difference to what you normally experience with your persistent AF. Make sure you have adequate travel insurance for ALL your health conditions and for your own peace of mind, it would also help to research medical centres near to where you are staying. Other precautions include keeping all medications in your hand luggage and take far more than you need just in case there are any delays. Also useful to take a copy of your prescriptions. As Bob has mentioned, allow lots of extra time for the journey, immigration, customs and checking in often take a lot longer now. This is even more important for the return journey because you will be in unfamiliar territory. This is easier if transfers are part of a package.

The real important thing is that you have a great time and come back in good shape for your ablation!

[CDreamer]

No problems at all. I had Paroxysmal AF but had AF during flights and if anything, pressurised cabin helped. I Book Airport Assistance well in advance, helps to stay calm because coping with the airports are the worst and I can’t stand for any length of time in queues.

[MummyLuv]

I had persistent afib and flew regularly. You know your afib better than anyone and how symptomatic you can become to know whether flying is ok. Staying hydrated was key for me. Hope you get to and enjoy your trip to Greece ☀️

[CDreamer]

PS - only thing is if you declare that you are waiting for a procedure, some travel insurance companies will refuse you. Talk to them over the phone, don’t just try to book on line as an ablation is an elective procedure for quality of life and is not an essential. And don’t think about going without insurance.

[Norfolk_spaniel]

Thanks for all your replies, very reassuring. I should add that we will book "fast track" through airport security on the way out and immigration on the way back. I have also contacted my holiday insurance company who want another £111 on top of my annual policy to cover me.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Norfolk_spaniel]

Yikes 😳

[foxglove1]

I too am waiting for an ablation in October eeek! but everyone on this great forum has been so reassuring that Im going ahead with it. think!! seriously tho go to Greece and enjoy taking all the usual precautions that you would anyway - allowing plenty of time at the airports keeping hydrated etc. I have flown to Australia and other places with AF and have booked my tickets to join my family in December. Have a great holiday and Good luck with the ablation. I shall report back after mine.

[Snowgirl65]

I had no problem flying from the US (I live in Ohio) to Scotland and back again, but went into a-fib the morning after my return home. The trigger was lack of sleep, jet lag and dehydration. I'd been on a hike on a Scottish island, didn't get back to the hotel until late, hardly any sleep, up early next morning for flight back home, multiple travel irritations, etc. Well no wonder my heart objected -- I think anybody's would, even if they didn't have a-fib! Just don't do what I did and you'll be fine.