arrhythmia and flying

[Fem51uk]

I am due to fly to Spain from Manchester in a couple of weeks time. I haven’t flown for five years I’m desperate for a break but I’m very worried about my SVT or AF starting mid flight due to cabin pressures and turning into something more sinister. I’ve put this holiday off for long enough talking myself out of it thinking something untoward will happen. At the start of this year I had a ‘funny do’ captured on my IlR my EP cardiologist couldn’t determine if there was some VT. I had felt quite unwell from it but it lasted only minutes. My next cardio app is in one years time. I’m not too concerned about being abroad and going into Svt/Af just the flight. Any reassurance would be greatly appreciated.

[Ennasti]

Since my diagnoses I’ve flown from Australia to Eucador via Chile and Peru, Australia to France via Singapore, Italy to Australia via Singapore, Australia to New Zealand and I’ve only just returned a few days ago from China. In between all of this I’ve taken numerous domestic flights overseas and within Australia. Each international flight is a minimum of 10 hours with the exception of New Zealand which is only about 3-4 hours. I’ve never had a problem. My heart does what it normally does - no more, no less. I keep hydrated, I avoid alcohol and I don’t stress. It’s easy - you’ve got absolutely nothing to worry about but worry itself!

[jwsonoma]

I haven't had a problem with it triggering my AFib.

Similiar to flying I travel from sea level(where I live) to 7,000-10,000ft elevation for sking in California and sleep at 7,000 ft elevation. I make 3+ multinight trips per winter

7,000ft elev. is the the typical cabin pressure equivalent. Oxygen is 16% vs 21% at sea level.

Sleeping at 7,000ft my resting HR is 5-10 BPM higher for 2 nights as my heart trys to deliver the same amount of oxygen to my body as at sea level. I also go to the bathroom more as my body tries to thicken my blood and get more red blood cells in the same volume of blood.

One thing you could do for a preventive measure (if you are taking anything that is) is see if your doctor will increase your Afib medications slightly just for the flight. Afib is like sea sicknesses. It's easier to prevent than reverse it once you have it.

My doctor allows me to increase my Bisoprolol from 1.25 to 2.5mg before a flight just because I find the whole thing nerve racking. I keep the Flecainide the same. I think the stress from the travel is a bigger trigger than the lower cabin oxygen.

Enjoy your trip.

[OzJames]

never had a problem flying just be sensible no over eating or drinking and maintain your routine for example if you went for a daily walk continue to do so as I find I have less ectopics when I exercise regularly. I’ve flown with AF and without AF just have my meds with me in case it decides to visit which it did on last day of Fiji holiday. I simply took my Flecainide and metoprolol it calmed everything and had cardioversion a few days later

[Ppiman]

I think if you are taking an anticoagulant, you'll be safe, but your fears are those I would be having. I would get reassurance from your doctor, myself.

Steve

[30912]

Never had a problem flying. Stress of getting to the airport and all it entails in the first place is worse.

[Iamfuzzyduck]

Do you have a problem with altitude generally? I do, and I have tachycardia at 5300 ft. I went to altitude for 10 days and had tachycardia on and off, but it is generally for the first two hours after I sleep. So, saying this, the 2 and a half hour flight caused no problem, but the long haul to England from Texas made my heart go weird for an hour or two, after I had eaten and started to sleep. It may have been afib but I was too scared to check. I don't take beta blockers, and I had an ablation 7 weeks ago. However propranolol helps. I didn't take it on the flight because it was in the luggage hold above my head, and my strange heart calmed down. I believe I have had afib before on a long haul but I was not diagnosed at the time. So if you have issues at altitude generally then maybe be prepared with the beta blockers.

[Buzby62]

Decide before hand what you will do if you do have an episode, if you can handle your episodes on the ground then have everything you need with you in hand luggage and do the same while flying. I had an episode of AF start unexpectedly in the departure lounge last year but I had planned to carry on if it did so I flew 5 hours in AF and reverted to NSR the next day while strolling in the sunshine.

Remove the anxiety of not having a plan will help in my opinion instead of worrying about “what if” without a plan.

I’ve just returned from 10 days in Spain and didn’t even notice cabin pressure. Enjoy the holiday.

Best wishes

[Hosta-Lover]

you’ve had several replies but to add my reassurance. No worries with arrhythmia and cabin pressure . I can understand your apprehension but loads of people fly with “heart”problems. It’s perfectly normal part of life. So is being worried/anxious about it!

Try some relaxation before your trip ie start practicing now and use this in the airport. Loads of apps out there , Headspace is good. But you do need a few days at least of practice

Keep hydrated, no alcohol and remember to have some food.

Most importantly have a fabulous holiday and enjoy xxx

[paolina]

I've been flying frequently from Venice to UK ever since I was diagnosed with permanent AF 14 years ago after having a dvt in my right leg. As someone else said the worse part is getting to and from the airport and not missing your flight. I've also had a good share of the usual delays etc with the low cost flights - the worst being the delay for news when the computers for air traffice went down in the UK, I am now 78 and usually fly on my own, just take deep breaths and pray when necessary. Enjoy the flight (best one I had was when a young man next to me had a film on his device which I managed to watch lol), and have a good holiday. My only worry with regards health is the state of the veins but I am assured that warfarin will help this. Bon voyage.

[dizzielizzie1]

Hi, I asked my cardiologist that very question about flying and she said it was perfectly safe, even though I am in persistent AF. I have not been abroad for many years now because I worry about it, which I know is stupid. Go and enjoy your holiday.