Travel after angiogram

[Golflady]

I'm waiting for an angiogram - both sides of heart causing angina. I'm due to travel abroad in 10 weeks. Does anyone know if I'll have a problem getting insurance and/or flying?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! As you are awaiting an angiogram to diagnose the problem and insurance would be difficult or impossible. After the angiogram it depends on the results and treatment. If it is decided that it is just a question of lifestyle changes and medication you should not have a problem getting insurance although the premium might be loaded. If the conclusion is that you need stents/bypass insurance could be very difficult until some weeks after treatment.

[Golflady in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your reply. I’m on the cancellation list so hopefully sooner rather than later.

[Johnspurs in reply to Golflady]

Hi, I got travel insurance for travel. Abroad while awaiting angiogram and as an angiogram in my case was exploratory I was still covered as an undiagnosed heart condition! The premium was higher but still reasonable. You need to contact an insurance broker. Best wishes, John

[Lezzers in reply to Johnspurs]

Hi Johnspurs, do you remember which insurance company gave you the cover? Insurance is something that crops up a lot & not just on this site! Would be good to be able to direct people to the insurer. Thanks

[70garden]

I have been reluctant to post this as I don’t want to appear pessimistic about a time schedule for your angiogram! Will you have even had your angio before you are due to go on holiday ?

My husband was told a 6-8 week wait, but it is turning into more like 15 weeks. He now has a date for the end of July, but I have been told by a friend that her neighbour has had his angio cancelled 3 times. This is obviously due to emergencies that occur and that is understandable. However the last excuse was because he would need a recovery bed and on the given day the other occupants would be female.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to 70garden]

After waiting six weeks for the Urgent Chest Pain Clinic I was told there was a sixteen week wait for angiograms. I decided to go privately and within a week I knew I has four severely blocked arteries (worse was LAD at 85%) and had been prescribed anti-anginals. There was no way I could afford a bypass and it was not carried out till nearly a year later! In that time I had only one break - a weekend away in the UK. After three angina attacks in a day I decided I would have been better off staying at home!

[Golflady in reply to 70garden]

I’m on the cancellation list but been told usual wait here (S W Scotland) is 10 weeks. I’ve had other appts and they are usually pretty fast.

[Bagrat]

I am hoping you already have holiday insurance obtained prior to this issue so that you could if necessary claim. If not, the nearer you get the less money will be returned. The medical questionnaire asks whether your stent is over or less than 6 weeks ago. 10 weeks sounds a long time but in hospital terms it isn't I'm afraid. If you are on a waiting list for investigations or treatment it will be very hard to get insurance and even if you do cost may be prohibitive. Sorry