another question, well a worry!

[GranmaWendy]

next year my husband and I both turn 70, my daughter and her husband want us to go with them on holiday to Florida to celebrate. I would love to go BUT I am terrified of having a bad episode of AF on the plane, I know long haul flights are a risk, and I just cant imagine how awful it would be to try to sit through a flight with my heart trying to escape from my chest! anyone got any hints or tips?

[mjames1]

Get a plan in advance from your doctor so that you can at least lower your heart rate with medications should you go into afib on the plane, or anywhere for that matter 😄 Now you will be safe and a lot more comfortable than flying in fast afib. Also, when traveling, always a good idea to have in advance the name, number and address of a good local hospital, just in case.

Jim

[BobD Volunteer]

Flown many time in AF or I would never have got to race meetings and it depends how much you want to go and how much you allow AF to ruin your life. I never did and yes on occasions it was dreadful but the end result was always the same. I had great time and the bad bits soon faded from memory.

My best advice is leave plenty of time getting to the airport to avoid stress, drinks lots of water ( no alcohol of course) eat sparingly and above all stay relaxed. As I used to say to people you can feel deadful at home or you can feel dreadful in a nice environment. It soon passes and you are still in a great place.

[Rosie1066]

I’ve just been on a cruise and, unfortunately, spent most of the cruise in and out of AF. I had a PIP which I took as soon as I felt my heart racing which usually kicked in after an hour or so and I carried on with my trip as best I could. It certainly didn’t stop me enjoying my well deserved break.

[BobD Volunteer]

One very important point I forgot. Make sure that you take plenty of your medication in the original packages along with copies of your prescription. Keep them in your hand luggage at all times as some customs can be difficult.

[BenHall1]

Hi GranmaWendy,

Prior to CoVid I flew many times between Heathrow and Sydney/Melbourne, sometimes stopping over sometimes straight through ...... never a problem. I was usually away for 3 or 4 weeks at a time and kept plenty of medication in my Cabin baggage ( in case of unplanned delays) and the bulk of it in my Hold baggage As Bob says, make sure you have your current Prescription copies with you. In flight, get up and move around as much as is practical and do keep keep being hydrated, plenty of water, even if you have to visit the loo more frequently. And try and stay chilled ... CHILL OUT !

You'll be fine.

John

[CDreamer]

Actually I think being in a plane is perfectly safe place to have AF - I’ve done plenty of long haul flights and had AF on one or two. The real concern is DVT so wear your compression socks, do your leg exercises - 10 MINS IN EVERY HOUR + plus everything else everyone else has already said - but most of all - have a fabulous holiday with your family!

😉

[55zuzanka61 in reply to CDreamer]

I would not think that DVT is much of concern for us a fibbers as we are,or at least most of us,on blood thinners,that certainly takes care of avoiding DVT

JERRYCZECH

[CDreamer in reply to 55zuzanka61]

It helps but doesn’t prevent. When sitting for more than a few hours blood pools in the legs - when blood pools it tends to become ‘sticky’, anti platelets are what is usually the preventative ie: small dose asprin which you shouldn’t take if on anti-coagulants.

[55zuzanka61 in reply to CDreamer]

exactly my point,99% of us are on anticoagulants so aspirin cannot be added.However since we are on blood thinners the prevention is already there and aspirin for long flight is not needed.Several studies show that for example Apixaban has 98% efficacy in preventing thromboembolism,same as aspirin.It might be even better but it is not given to people because risk of bleeding is higher.But again,we are taking it already anyway

Enjoy your flights

Jerryczech

[secondtry]

For peace of mind I would take out some insurance for hospital visits.

[Tellingfibs]

As usual, lots of good, practical advice on this forum. To help reassure you, I can tell you that about 3 months after diagnosis of paroxysmal Afib, I went to Florida. As I was on Warfarin I was having my INR checked regularly and it up and down. It was a bit high immediately before my flight. I am very frightened of flying so all in all I was prepared to call off the holiday. Like you though, we were going with our daughter and family and I didn’t want to disappoint them. I did go after all and the flight was fine. My Afib was fine. I was 67. Two years later I did it again. Again, no Afib problems at all, aged 69. The first time, I was anxious about my INR levels and got them checked at a local surgery, but didn’t manage to do this until a few days before my return home. My levels by then were too low ! As you have been advised on this forum, it would be a good idea to sort a doctor or hospital out when you get there, to settle your mind. As already said, do make sure all your medication has its labels etc as the American end of things can be very strict. We went through without any problems. Do go on this holiday. Apart from anything else, it will empower you and set you up for lots more holidays ! Good luck and have a super time !

Annie.

[2learn]

Hi, additional concerns I would have is insurance, can you get it, as any medic care in USA will be expensive and will your insurance cover it up front or would you have to do that and claim on return. And USA, probably more chance of getting shot, very unsafe plave I've always kept away from.

[richard_jw]

Insurance is v important. If you need to be treated in a US hospital, the cost can take your breath away, and they might need proof of ability to pay before they treat you

[DawnTX in reply to richard_jw]

each of my ablations alone not doctor cost a quarter of 1 million each for the first two

[Jalia]

Lots of helpful advice here. I do hope you've got your insurance sorted and have declared your AF. US medical charges are horrendous. You do need to declare all your conditions.

[Morzine]

hi,

I think the way to look at it is why should it happen just because your in a plane. It won’t make it any more likely being on a plane in reality.

I’ve been long haul to Australia and I never really thought about it, as once you are at the airport there are other things to look at etc…..drink lots of water and get there in plenty of time…..if you can’t afford business class which majority can’t or won’t, I’d treat yourself to pre flight booking and get the bulkhead or door seats you get masses of extra room…I bought a blow up cushion and pout my feet up…the extra cost was 60 each and well worth it…..

Sue

[DawnTX in reply to Morzine]

in reality what is the difference on a plane or on your couch? I moved from Florida to Texas. I lived in a hotel for six months waiting for the house. Live your life while you have one that’s all I can say.

[GranmaWendy in reply to DawnTX]

Im doing my best! but you do have to be practical, given that I frequently get a couple of hours of severely increased urination at the beginning of an episode, that could prove very troublesome on a plane!

[DawnTX in reply to GranmaWendy]

you are not alone in having those. With my pacemaker, I actually get to sleep through the night until about 5 AM. Some thing I have not done and it over a year because of that issue I was in constant a fib and atypical flutter.