Flying

[N1kk1B]

Hello everyone,

I booked a holiday abroad for May next year. I have congenital heart disease. Born with a bicuspid valve which now has aortic stenosis. Thoracic aortic aneurysm, high blood pressure and ectopic beats. Lately I've been getting symptoms such as breathlessness, lightheadedness and palpitations with a raised heartbeat and tachycardia.

This has unnerved me and I decided to cancel my holiday as I'm nervous of flying and travelling abroad feeling like this. I feel like I'm living half a life since my diagnosis a few weeks ago.

Has anyone with a similar condition flown without any issues?

Thanks Nikki

[Suzy1954]

Hi. I’ve got practically the same as you apart from high blood pressure. Mines usually too low. I’m in Tenerife at the moment and have flown 4 times this year with no problems. As long as the doctors haven’t told you not to fly you should be fine. Although I understand your anxieties 👍

[N1kk1B in reply to Suzy1954]

Thank you Suzy x

[Speakeazi in reply to N1kk1B]

I know it’s dull, but check your travel insurance ...

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Some airlines need a "fitness to fly" from your GP or consultant. You have booked now but using the train can be less stressful than flying. St Pancras International over Luton airport anytime!

[N1kk1B in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael. I've cancelled my holiday now as I'm nervous about flying with my symptoms. I didn't even consider the train. Thanks 😃

[Lezzers in reply to N1kk1B]

Hi N1kk1B, my husband has issues flying so we now go by train. Last year we went to Nice, Eurostar to Paris with a one night stopover each way and then onward travel by train to & from Nice. So much more relaxing than flying!

[Ianc2]

Hi N1kk1B

I used to get up in the middle of the night, after not sleeping too well, to go haring round the back lanes, highways and motorways to arrive at the airport at 4 am in order to park my car and fly at about 6.15am.

Now I get an airport national express, arrive the night before, get a good nights sleep, have a complimentary buffet breakfast and stroll over to the airport and fly away, usually to Spain, where the health service is ranked as no 7 by the World Health Organisation, and government has said that the EHIC card will continue to be honoured.

Having visited the local casualty department in Spain a couple of times I have been impressed by the system. Triage on entry, followed by a timed, numbered, appointment, no sitting around, go have a cup of something, come back on time and straight in. You may have to pay for a translator though, unless you speak Spanish.

For more serious events admission can be very swift, tests very thorough and action very quick.

Have a look at the pinned posts on the right regarding travel insurance. If you are waiting diagnosis or treatment you may have to shop around and it could get expensive. Many companies will refuse to cover you until they are sure what your treatment plan is, but this is a temporary phase that will be resolved in due course.

Be guided by your cardiologist. Ask him /her if you are fit to fly and what his/her recommendations are, and be guided by them. Keep in touch with your cardiologist's secretary and your GP and don't be afraid to go to casualty if you start to struggle. Take care, listen carefully and be guided by your feelings for there will be plenty of time for holidays in the future when you fit and well and ready to enjoy them

[N1kk1B in reply to Ianc2]

Hi lanc2,

Thank you for your response, it's given me lots to think about and there is some great advice for me to follow 🙂

[Ninjacat]

Hi N1kk1 - I Can’t help answer your question but I’d like to speak to you about your I’ll Ed’s as I have exactly the same And I spend my life in a perpetual state of anxiety and fear! Just would like a chat and maybe some advice? Thanks

[Ninjacat]

Illness (it should say!)

[N1kk1B in reply to Ninjacat]

Hello. Are you newly diagnosed? This is the most awful time as you are trying to come to terms with this life changing event and also think about how it affects your future. These forums have been a great help to me in the early days. I also contacted the BHF advice line and spoke to one of the Carduac nurses, which helped put my mind at ease a little.

The best advice I can give is to research, seek support and don't ever feel like you are a burden. It's sadly surprising how many people are in the same position as we are, but it can still feel like a very personal and isolating experience.

Hope that's helped a little 🙂