Holidays

[JSTG]

Hello, My husband had his cardiac arrest in Dec 19 due to start rehab on Wednesday. One thing he’s anxious about going on holidays later down the line about flying & being in a different country if anything was to happen or feel unwell . What’s people’s experience on holidays & thoughts about going aboard . Thanks

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi JSTG

I had a heart attack/cardiac arrest in December 2018, then had an ICD fitted in August 2019. I cancelled 2 holidays earlier last year due to the number of ongoing appointments/cardio rehab visits, but finally got away for a week in Tenerife in November 2019.

I was a bit anxious prior to going, but soon got over it. You'll need travel insurance prior to going- I've taken out a policy with StraySure, and of course you've got to take a ton of medicines with you.

Flying with an ICD is a bit of a pain as you have to be processed separately when going through security, but that aside flying is fine.

It's great that your husband is going to cardio rehab, it's a really beneficial service that will aid his recovery so much.

Good luck with your holidays, I'm busy sorting out mine for 2020!

[JSTG in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thank you for your reply . When you went on your 1st holiday did you just book or did you book with location of a hospital etc in mind. Good luck with your 2020 holiday out ☀️

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to JSTG]

I went on holiday in November, so it was a case of where's warm and sunny - Canary Islands, picked Tenerife based on the hotel that looked (and was) excellent, so no didn't think about hospitals.

As I said I had my heart attack\cardiac arrest in December 2018 - a year before your husband. I know that this time last year I was struggling really badly, couldn't sleep, terrified I was going to die in the night, afraid that every little pain was another heart attack. I got to start cardio rehab last March, and it was at that point that I started to make progress and feel better and put all the negative thoughts behind me. From there onward it's been all positive. As has often been said, it all takes time.

I can understand being anxious, at this point the event is not that far behind him, and he may well be feeling a bit like I did 12 months ago, but it does all pass. Good luck with the rehab

[JSTG in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thanks 😊 it is all about time.

Its nice to hear from others & how they are 12 months on. Appreciate your reply thanks 😊 take care & enjoy your holiday times ☀️

[Blondie1967]

We know how you feel , my husband had his arrest in May 2019 we were on holiday in Cornwall, Talland bay , not the best location for his arrest but hes still here thanks to members of public and obs paramedics, air ambulance to name just a few .. I'm anxious about holidaying but still early days , we will continue to visit our beloved Cornwall but not stay off the beaten track lol .. Just booked a coach trip to Scotland for next year, and hoping a European trip somewhere next year ... good luck to both you and your husband xx

[JSTG]

Thank you for your kind words your words are so spot on 😊

[JSTG]

Thank you for your reply . The location of holidays worry me & bless you that’s where it happened for you. I hope you enjoy your trip to Scotland & hoping you get you Europe next year xx 😊

[Ianc2]

If you stick to Europe your insurance premiums should be reasonable, you will still have the safety net of the EHIC. European healthcare is generally much better than the NHS so as long as you avoid America you should be OK.

[Debee28]

Just a query, is there a reason to avoid America or is it just that the insurance premiums are higher?

[SCA_UK]

For anyone wanting any more peer support come and join over 1400 other members of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Uk - on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/SuddenC... and our website suddencardiacarrestuk.org/

[SCA_UK]

Info on travelling at suddencardiacarrestuk.org/t...

[SCA_UK]

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