flying

[Lindaj754]

As it’s holiday time, would welcome opinions on flying when you are in afib. I have paroxysmal and travel a bit so at some point this may be an issue. Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

Done it loads of times as I often had to travel for races (Motorsport) and AF would sometimes intrude. Although highly symptomatic I was also determined that AF would not interfere with my life. Best advice is stay well hydrated, allow plenty of time at airports to avoid stress, no alcohol and go enjoy.

[Lindaj754 in reply to BobD]

Thank you.

[Karendeena]

My EP once said to me "Imagine you have just boarded a plane to Barbados and your AF kicks in", that was enough for me to agree to an ablation

My friend who also had paroxysmal AF started with an episode at the airport, it has put her off flying, she said she felt anxious and afraid.

[Lindaj754 in reply to Karendeena]

I am not symptomatic so ep has said not needed. Thank you

[Karendeena in reply to Lindaj754]

You are so lucky not to be symptomatic. I really struggled with the episodes. I wouldn't have had an ablation if I had been like you. If you don't mind me asking what meds do you take?

[Lindaj754 in reply to Karendeena]

I take eliquis twice a day. I also take one bisoprolol when I have an episode of afib.

[opal11uk]

I have the same and it didnt stop me doing anything I wanted to do including flying. Travel is stressful so do all of your prep work, pack early, documentation and tickets ready, leave early for the Airport, drink plenty of fluids and get some boiled sweets and don't forget compression socks or stocking and doing the rocking backwards and upwards of your feet to keep the circulation going and if you can, regular trots to the loo!!! Have a lovely time x

[Lindaj754 in reply to opal11uk]

Thank you

[30912]

Never had a problem with flying and that includes long haul, neither has it caused a bout of AF. The stress of getting to the airport and all it entails is worse, so give yourself plenty of time and try and relax through the whole process.

[Lindaj754 in reply to 30912]

Thank you

[OzJames]

I’ve flown both in AF and when not in AF. The flights from Sydney are mostly 3 hours to 13 hours. As others have said…. before you fly and on the plane stay hydrated don’t over eat no rich or spicy food, chocolates etc and no alcohol. If you get a bit stressed slow nasal breathing and have a walk up and down the aisle. On a long haul I’ll watch a couple of movies read a book and before you know it I’ve arrived!

[Lindaj754 in reply to OzJames]

Thank you

[BevCynfelyn]

I've flown regularly with persistent and very symptomatic AF over the last 8 years and apart from having a bad nosebleed (so bad the plane was delayed 20 minutes from taking off) I've never worried about it. Mind you, I don't get stressed at the airport at all either, so I guess I'm in the minority.

[Lindaj754 in reply to BevCynfelyn]

Thank you

[Adiepie]

Have PAF, treatment by 2 ablations, cardioversion and medication. I’ve traveled long haul and frequently short haul with no issues. Fortunately alcohol doesn’t seem to be a trigger, so I always top up my blood alcohol levels to keep me relaxed!

[Lindaj754 in reply to Adiepie]

Love it!

[Rvlindahl]

I too am nervous about flying since my paroxysmal diagnosis. My main concern is the frequent urination when I have an attack—do I wear diapers on the plane? Funny/not funny🫤

[CDreamer in reply to Rvlindahl]

That’s a valid concern but thinking back, although I have that difficulty sometimes when in AF - I don’t recall it ever being a problem on a flight. 🤷

[Jetcat]

hi Linda, look forward to your holiday and don’t worry about the afib. I agree with bob, I get there early and just take your time with your journey to the airport etc. I book a hotel stay overnight the day before which includes a transfer to and from the airport and we leave car there too for the duration of the holiday. It makes things alot easier and it’s an extra days holiday👍 but In the past I have had the odd Afib episode whilst halfway home up at 30.000 feet and Iv just sat it out as normal as I do at home. So Get your case packed and get your feet up and enjoy your holiday.👍

All my best

Ron.

[Lindaj754 in reply to Jetcat]

Thank you for your reassurance

[Jetcat in reply to Lindaj754]

👍x

[AAJJTt]

Hi, I don’t have any issues flying (short or long haul). I love travel and have been determined not to let PAF affect this.

My arrhythmia was diagnosed in 2019, following a heart attack and travel was curtailed for a few years after that, including the pandemic period but now I trying to make up for it.

I am fortunate my PAF is well controlled (no episodes for years) with daily medication (Flecainide) and I am generally fit and healthy. Have a PIP plan too, if anything happens.

I came to understand unhelpful behaviours which might affect me and mitigate them. During a long haul flight, I ;

- stay hydrated and avoid too much alcohol but hey! I’m on holiday, so a beer or wine with a meal is usually fine.

- eat but I never over eat or eat too late. Tricky sometimes on a flight changing timezones but I manage it. Eating late and being over full is generally not good for me anyway; something I avoid.

- to try and avoid jet lag, I always adopt the time zone of my destination as soon as possible.

- get some sleep / relax in tune with my destination.

- medication. I am on twice a day medication - 12 hours apart. Normally, I set a 12 hour timer on my watch after my last dose in local time. It is then just a bit trial and error were I blend my timings to reflect my destination +/- a few hours depending on the situation. This is very much a personal approach, I am sure others may do it other ways but it works for me, so far.

Then there’s just general things.

- good travel insurance - make sure all conditions are covered.

- check destination’s law/rules on importing medication and adhere to it. As a minimum, I take my last prescription and enough meds for trip in their original dispensing packaging.

- research medical facilities at destination.

Clearly travelling is a personal choice, taking into account your personal situation and appetite for risk too. For myself, I feel I have stability and I am trying to take advantage of it.

I just came back from the US (9 hour flight) on Monday and all was fine. Travelling out SE Asia and Laos in November.

Best.

[Lindaj754 in reply to AAJJTt]

Thank you for this. I too have travelled lots of times to USA since diagnosis. I have paroxysmal afib. I wondered if people actually went on board knowing that they were in afib. Seems many do. Wonderful!

[AAJJTt in reply to Lindaj754]

Hi, yes, it seems people do. I think it is a conundrum for me. I have never had to use my PIP, which I am thankful for but i don’t know if it works or how quickly. I wonder if I’d have the courage to get on a flight in Afib and rely on the PiP to resync me.

[Lindaj754 in reply to AAJJTt]

This is my issue too!