Holiday flight with AF/SVT

[Byke]

hello, I am looking for some advice/ re assurance. I was diagnosed with PAF three years ago following my heart racing at 195. Went to hospital told I have PAF, and put on medication. I have now had three episodes with heart racing and being admitted to Resuscitation. Last time a couple of weeks ago when I went into resus for the third time, I was given a medication via an injection into the blood stream which brought the rate down. The doctor then told me it is not PAF but SVT, and that I had an under active thyroid. A blood test a week earlier had shown a normal thyroid reading. Result is that I am now on Thyroxine for that. I am due to fly to Tenerife in 8 weeks time, and am worried if this is safe. Has anyone else experienced this and how safe is it for me to fly. Thank you

[Paulbounce]

Hi Byke. It's understandable that you have concerns about flying to Tenerife in 8 weeks time. However, rest assured that many people with heart conditions and underactive thyroid travel by air safely every day.

It's important that you speak with your doctor before your trip to Tenerife. Your doctor will be able to assess your medical condition and advise you on whether it's safe for you to travel by air. They may also recommend some precautions you should take during your flight, such as staying hydrated, moving around periodically, and taking medication as needed.

With proper management and precautions, there's no reason why you can't travel and enjoy your trip to Tenerife. I hope this reassures you, and I wish you a safe and enjoyable journey.

Grab me a duty-free on the way back will you please? If not a stick of rock will do

Paul

[Byke in reply to Paulbounce]

thanks for that. I just get frightened because my heart races so fast and they take me into resuscitation which is scary. I wouldn’t want to be in this state either on a plane or on holiday. I take on board your suggestions, and of course I will bring you duty free back

[Sixtychick in reply to Byke]

I know exactly how you feel. I started with SVT when I was 22, nearly 50 years ago. I find it stops on it’s own, if I lie flat on the floor and put my feet up against the wall. Can’t do that if you’re out and about though.!! . I have only had to go into hospital, with SVT 3 times in all that time and they usually give me an adenosine injection, which stops it almost straight away, it makes you feel very weird when they inject it though. I have had PAF since 2014, which is much worse and have been told to go to A&E every time, as my heart rate goes very high and they increased the dose of Sotalol, which they gave me for SVT and that seems to help prevent the SVT most of the time now. There are other things to try to stop an attack of SVT , which you can look up on Google, which might help. The Consultant gave me a list, years ago, but just the lying on the floor one is the only one that works for me. Try not to worry about it and enjoy your holiday.

[Byke in reply to Sixtychick]

thank you for your reply, it’s very reassuring, I have only had 3 bouts of SVT which I know isn’t anywhere as near as some people. I will try the lying on my back with feet on the wall

[Sixtychick in reply to Byke]

hope it works for you.

[BobD Volunteer]

Three things. (maybe four) Drink plenty of water. Don't drink alcohol, GIve yourself plenty of time at airports to avoid stress. Enjoy.

[Byke in reply to BobD]

Thanks for that, you always give calm advise, it makes me feel as though all will be well.

[meadfoot]

I concur with all of the above responses and would add remember to pack your meds in your hand luggage in case you need them on the flight. Also Tenerife has an excellent hospital so if you needed it you would be in good hands.

I have PAF and SVT with a heart rate which has topped at 298 beats per minute so I know how bad it feels. Since diagnosis back in 2009 I have been on cruises, flights etc, yes always nervous but havent come to any harm. Prepare yourself as best you can and no rushing about beforehand helps.

My arrhythmias are triggered often by gastric issues so not eating big meals especially late in the evening can help. Gov and enjoy your break if your medics are happy for you to do so. Remember to tell your travel insurers of your diagnosis in advance of your trip so you dont fall foul of their policy if you needed to claim.

[Byke in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you for your reply, this makes me feel better knowing others have the same issues. I am not sure what triggers them but it has happened once after I suddenly turned round and another after I had suddenly bent down, it the last one I don’t know. On the second occasion I stayed in hospital overnight. When cardiologists came to see me he said A&E has put down I had a heart attack, but said I had not, however when I spoke to doctors at a check up later they said they would rectify this, how ever when I went to hospital last time it was still there, so not sure what to do about this regarding insurance.

[meadfoot in reply to Byke]

Ensure your medical records are amended. Hard to do but important for all sorts of reasons including travel insurance too. Could your medics confirm in a letter that you had not had a heart attack. Whats on your GP record regarding this. Please get onto it now so it doesnt mess with your travel insurance. Nothing moves quickly in these respects sadly. Best wishes, fight your corner.

[Byke in reply to meadfoot]

thank you for that, it makes sense, I will put meds in hand luggage. I don’t have a pill in the pocket but should be fine, it’s just first time nerves

[Byke in reply to Byke]

thanks for that. I have rung cardiology department, answer phone only, that said results can take up to 10 weeks to get to GP and any other concerns contact your GP , no options to talk to anyone. I then phone the surgery(45mins till answered). They are going to print out my medical records for me, if the heart attack is still on there, I will be going to cardiology to ask them to look into it and change it. Here’s hoping

[Cat04]

Make sure you check your holiday insurance will cover you!

[Byke in reply to Cat04]

Thank you, will do

[LaceyLady]

I’ve recently been to Grenada for the first time since diagnosis. I started with SVT, 2019 saw me have PAF 🙄, 2021 T2 diabetes 😵‍💫

Well, I did end up with an episode when I got there which was probably caused by dehydration as we weren’t given enough water on flight and a 20 hour flight! But it only lasted that night and didn’t reoccur on the way home.

[Byke in reply to LaceyLady]

thanks for your reply,I am hoping that all goes well without any problems

[Hylda2]

Thyroid, AF, pacemaker, nearly 80! Tenerife early Feb. Go for it

[Byke in reply to Hylda2]

that’s fantastic, makes me wonder why I’m making a big deal of it

[Byke]

Thanks for your reply. With the thyroid, I had a blood test prior to the SVT and that was normal, this was taken a week prior, but when they took blood tests in the hospital during the SVT it showed an under active thyroid. I was told to speak to my doctor, and he has put me on medication, he is testing it again in 6 weeks. I hope you enjoy your holiday, sounds great, have fun