travel and af

[Moonriver]

I am due to go on holiday overseas in September but now have irregular heart beats and possibly some AF. I had ablation last year. The deadline to cancel hotel is Sunday. I am waiting results of a heart monitor but had dreadful night with odd rhythms. My partner is desperate to go and I am but he can’t go on his own. I feel pressured to go but am concerned I will be unstable out there. What a pain this heart business is! I have been give new drug for blood pressure Candesartan but my heart was pounding away last night and I don’t think it’s doing me much good. So frustrated by all of this. Does anyone else feel terribly anxious when this is going on. I just want to relax but finding it difficult.

[BobD Volunteer]

I have travelled and worked abroad many times whilst in AFon the basis that I will not be cowed by it. Make sure you have plenty of your medication with you, make plans to reduce stress by giving -plenty of time at airports etc and go have a great holiday would be my advice.

[Moonriver in reply to BobD]

Thanks for your good wishes Bob. I got the all clear to go today! Just got to keep cool about it.

[Blissygirl in reply to Moonriver]

I’ve been OS also (I’m in Oz) and paid extra to get insurance cover. I was fine. Be moderate with alcohol and get adequate sleep, relax and take your meds. Even if you go into AF, relax and enjoy your holiday.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Moonriver]

So happy for you -- as BobD says, have a good time!

[Moonriver in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thank you

[Jalia]

Make sure that you have adequate holiday insurance.....that you have made the company aware of your condition and go for it. You are sitting worrying about it at home . A holiday may be what you need. If you are properly insured you can cancel at the last minute if things get really bad.

[Moonriver in reply to Jalia]

hi Jalia, got travel insurance so here goes.

[Jalia in reply to Moonriver]

Enjoy yourself! Stay hydrated, little or, better still no alcohol (.....killjoy) and no heavy meals, particularly late at night should all help.

[Moonriver in reply to Jalia]

It’s a killjoy but I don’t drink at all!

[Scotheart in reply to Jalia]

Even more importantly, make sure you are insured with a company that will actually pay out if you make a genuine complaint. Got caught out last year when was hospitalised with acute AF while on holiday in Majorca.

[Jalia in reply to Scotheart]

Absolutely! I've had to make 2 claims, late cancellations due to fast AF and advised not to travel. I was insured with Staysure I think and no problem paying out but they really do go through your medical records with a fine tooth comb!!

What happened with your Majorca hol?

[Hidden]

All good stuff suggested so far. If you’re not going to familiar territory, it might be worth researching locations for seeking health care. Won’t be necessary of course, but the more prepared you are, the less stressful you are likely to be.

Send us a card 😉

[Moonriver in reply to Hidden]

👍♥️

[Longdistancewalker]

I was in a similar situation in early July in the lead up to my departure on a walking holiday in Sweden. I was having more frequent episodes and strange bloating sensations. I spoke with my GP and he said “you are taking your anti-coagulant and your blood pressure is within normal ranges so the decision is yours on whether to go”. Glad I decided to go as apart from one episode near the beginning of my walk I feel I have gotten stronger and certainly less anxious with the daily walking. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy and the stress we feel about this ridiculous condition simply exacerbates it. Enjoy your vacation and the time with your partner!

[Boddington]

your predicament is very familiar to me. I find going on holiday, especially airports, very stressful and often rescuing an episode of AF. Other contributors have wisely suggested keeping hydrated and avoiding alcohol, coffee etc. I find a pill in the pocket- 2.5 Bisorolol really effective in slowing my heart rate and reducing that ‘thumping’ in the chest. Hope you enjoy your holiday.

[Boddington]

that should read ‘often resulting’

[Ppiman]

I would say that if the only issue is AF and ectopic beats, then, physically, you'll be completely fine. I guess you are taking an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting? The anxiety that often accompanies this condition, and which can be awful, is the aspect that only you can know what its effect will be. Myself, I would likely ask my GP if I should take an extra betablocker for the journey; and I have read of people who take a 5mg diazepam tablet to calm the nerves for such occasions (if you do this try it beforehand to be sure it suits you and works).

The candesartan won't, I should think have any effect on the trip as its action is quite different. I was given a similar drug, losartan, even though I don't have high BP as it was said to be cardio-protective.

Steve

[Moonriver in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for your reply Steve. I take bp pill because been advised that high bp can push you into AF. So it’s a protective measure really. I also take a calcium channel blocker. The diazepam is gd idea.

[jayjay10000]

Hi Moon River, iam sorry to hear that you are having problems with heart palpitations at the moment, I also have the same problems as you especially at night. All you can do is plan where the nearest doctor and Hospital and pharmacy is near to your hotel, make sure your travel insurance is updated with your medical needs, just try to relax at night with some music which helps with anxiety and leave it on until you fall asleep. Mostly everyone on here will give you advice to try and help you. You are not alone always remember this.Take care.

[Moonriver in reply to jayjay10000]

I did go away but now got constant ectopics. My bp meds was stopped to Doxazosin 2 mg but that is giving me fast pulse rate. So this holiday is a misery. Four days of storms and now the heat but scared of going into the cold water of pool or sea. The extra beats won’t stop.

[jayjay10000 in reply to Moonriver]

Where are you on holiday, did you fly from the UK. I don't know how to advise you on this matter. At least you managed to get away. May be next time take an holiday nearer to home that's what I do, I travel no more that 2 hours away from home.Next year iam going to Jersey for a week's holiday, 1 hour 20min flight then 20min transfer to the hospital. Iam already trying to mentally prepare for this. Take care.

[harkim1]

Yes I've had AF for about 4years now. I had ablation few months ago. I have become very worried whenever we plan anything and spend my time leading to the build up that if my heart is going to behave. I also feel pressured to go sometimes because I don't want to cause drama if my heart rate decides to hit 170 and I need some help with bringing it down. But I haven't been overseas for this reason. Wish you well in whatever you decide to do.

[Moonriver in reply to harkim1]

I know exactly how you feel. I had ablation last year for AF and now got these awful extra beats. Plus a new beta blocker which I am scared to take. Low dose

[ETHEL103]

Yes to everything you have mentionedThe irregular beats and pounding heart has stopped me from going abroad.I know people will say go for it but its all down to how you feel and if like me you are a worrier it feels better to stay in GB.Best wishes.

[Moonriver in reply to ETHEL103]

I am a worrier too trying to find some relaxing things to chill out. I prefer UK too. Feel safer.

[Jetcat]

hi moon, get your cases and sun block packed and enjoy a holiday. Don’t worry about the AFIB stuff. Iv been away many many times and yes sometimes had an episode of the AFIB but I just sit it out like I do any other time ! Remember to Keep hydrated. Best wishes.

Ron👍

[Moonriver in reply to Jetcat]

👍

[Blearyeyed]

It can take 4-6 weeks for Candesartan to start showing improvement and your symptoms can feel a bit worse in the first week of taking it as your body adjusts.They may have started you on a low dose to see if you can tolerate the drug first before giving you a dose which would help control it the best.

I think you need to write down and think about the Pros and Cons before Sunday to work out whether you really feel that you can cope with the type of travel you were planning before the symptoms started.

Are you planning to travel by air, sea or road ?

Do you think you can cope with the travel with extra help or medication and you would still feel able to enjoy your holiday after resting from the travel?

Can someone else take control of the things that would cause more symptoms like packing, driving, carrying bags, catering , organising ( these things are often the things that are hardest and we need to delegate to others to get to go away) ?

Can you alter your plans to pace your days on a holiday in a more relaxed way , limiting the number of activities or trips to allow for longer rest periods?

What is medical care like in the accommodation or area that you are visiting and how much may an emergency cost you?

What is the weather , food , environment like where you are going and do you think these could also trigger more symptoms for you , or are manageable if you alter how you do things each day?

Importantly, how much did this trip cost and will it be worth it to go but then find you are stuck not being able to enjoy the activities that you chose the holiday for in the first place?

Could you choose to cancel these dates but reschedule the holiday with the agency for a later date with no penalties after you've got your symptoms under control and feel well enough ( and confident enough) to go?

Could you cancel that trip but still have a smaller trip closer to home to make it feel less disappointing, then take the holiday at a better time for you both?

It might be disappointing for you and your travel partner to delay but if you really feel rotten it's going to be just as disappointing to be away and stuck recouping in your room most of the time.

You may also be feeling more symptoms and triggering the flare because you are feeling more anxious about this happening and stressed about how it could effect your holiday.

If you haven't tried it before you could use some breathing exercises and relaxation to see if this helps the ongoing symptoms a little , which it should do if all of your symptoms are not linked to AF but to symptoms triggered by Stress. But listen to you body and how it's making you feel Mentally as well as Physically to make your decision.

If you husband needs your help to travel anyway he should also understand that there are times when health makes it necessary to cancel a trip, no matter how much you want to go.

As they say , sometimes the Heart is weak even if the Mind is willing.

Take care , I feel for you, I've just had to cancel a trip and stay home whilst my family went off for a birthday Weekender. It was a hard choice but deep down I knew I couldn't manage it thus time around.

Let us know what you choose to do , Hugs , Bee

[Moonriver in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks so much for your lovely detailed reply very thoughtful advice.

[Qualipop]

Just be aware your insurance probably won't cover you if you 're waiting for test results. Ring them. Do NOT go without.

[theenglishman1]

I have AF and I get my meds for the time I am going away and GO!

You still have to live!

[Moonriver in reply to theenglishman1]

True!

[Slidingdoors99]

I’m with you! Really, it’s not surprising that you feel that way. 🥲🥲

[Cookie24 in reply to Slidingdoors99]

Agree

[alfrae13]

As far as I know cardesantan is for blood pressure and not for HR, You might need a beta blocker

[Moonriver in reply to alfrae13]

That’s right but been told to get bp down to stop flipping into AFib.

[Johndwynn-1]

My wife would never pressure me to go on any kind of trip under your circumstances. And I have been where you are. Absolutely don’t go if you feel uncomfortable. Believe me, you do not want to be in a foreign country with problems like this. Seems to me your partner should understand this.

[JeanetteH]

I have had AFib episodes the last few times i went abroad but as Jetcat said I sat it out and reverted back to sinus.However I am now avoiding early flights as lack of sleep is a trigger,I dont drink and try to stay hydrated.I always find out where nearest walk in or hospital is too.

[Moonriver in reply to JeanetteH]

I just posted on swimming with premature beats. The pool water is cold here and the sea. Worried about swimming and effect on beats etc.