flying

[Billie51]

hi husband had a heart attack nearly 3 weeks ago due to have stents put in today. My question is we have a holiday booked 29th August to Ibiza would he still beable to fly?

[080311]

Hello Billie51

Welcome to the forum I think this is a question for your husband’s Cardiologist. He will have all the answers plus would your insurance over you knowing there is a health issue so close to travelling.

Hope you get some answers from the hospital.

Best wishes Pauline

[gilreid1]

If you can afford insurance then ask your cardiologist. If it was me the last place I would be going is abroad especially Spain

[shopman]

Have read of this

hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/...

[Prada47 in reply to shopman]

Excellent Link from shopman

Well worth a read for anyone.

Hands Face Space to keep Safe

[Hidden]

That’s a question for a doctor, really, preferably his cardiologist. Without wanting to be negative, though, even if he is, you may struggle for appropriate travel insurance. Anything you’ve got now needs to be amended to reflect his recent HA and stents, assuming the company you’re currently with will still cover him. I believe EHIC cards are currently still valid within the EU, but that only covers medical treatment, not anything else that occurs as a result of someone being taken ill like extended accommodation costs, change of travel plans or even repatriation.

Regardless of both whether he’s fit to fly and any insurance issues, the other consideration is whether or not your husband actually feels up to travel in a couple of weeks’ time, and you’re probably not going to really know that until he’s a good few days post stents and getting back to normal. My mum’s stents were fitted within a week of her fairly mild heart attack, and she was kept in until they were done, but she wasn’t really back to properly going about her day for a few weeks, particularly as they’d had to go in through the groin.

In any event, good luck to you both.

[heartsonfire]

In a word, no. I’m sure you’re both keen to get away for a holiday, but he’s had a heart attack, even with stents, his heart and his mind will still be healing and coming to terms with what has happened. Please don’t be disappointed, or at least show that you are to your husband, as he’ll be feeling really bad that he’s the reason you can’t go. Your insurance should cover the cancellation of your holiday and then you can start planning for your next break in the sun. Take care of each other. x

PS. this happened to us 13 years ago, when my husband had his 2nd HA and stent just 5 weeks before a fabulous holiday, so I fully get what you’re both going through.

[sturon]

If you are booked on a package holiday your travel company should be following the FCO advise which is:

From 27 July, the FCO advise against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks in the country.

We had a holiday booked for the Canary Islands and our company have changed the holiday for a later date with no fee. If you don't want to travel then perhaps this is the best course for you to take at this time.

Good luck.

[Clerkenweller]

Agree with everything above. The medication regime will take a while to settle in and the body has to recover from invasive surgery. Personally the thought of the stress of crowded airports overlaid with the Covid risk would put me right off.

[DAVEEJG]

I travelled to USA in 2018 and flew back within two weeks of having had further stent fitted. This was with my cardiac team’s blessing but I had never had a full heart attack. Extra cost to top up my insurance as involved a cruise and worldwide travel was about. £800.

As other members have also commented in my opinion not at all wise to travel to Spain or Balaearics at this time and against FCO advice.

[joesmith123456]

Hi, I wouldn't rush to make a decision yet. I had a heart attack and three stents at the back end of June. We had a holiday booked for 25 July, the hospital told me if I feel up to it then go on holiday and relax. From what I've read on here, it is clear that we all recover at different rates. As for holiday insurance, if your holiday and insurance were booked before the heart attack then there should be no excess. However, you would need to check especially regarding the foreign office advice regarding travel to certain countries.

Hope your husband recovers quickly.

[Pewse]

Depends on many variables. Age. Overall health. Ask your Heart Team, or better still, your cardiologist/Doctor.

[LEE0512]

Speaking from personal experience , you may find that postponing the holiday for a while would be a better option . I have had several stent procedures (8 stents in total) 1 cardiac arrest and 1 HA, and he will probably find he will have some mild chest pains, because of the procedure for a week or two. If needed you might get a letter from your doctor for the travel/insurance company and then rebook at a later date.

[Williemak]

When I had mine last year I was told to wait 6 weeks before flying. And I had to get a letter from the surgeon for our insurance, otherwise I wouldn’t be covered.

I’d check with your surgeon but if not he should giving you a letter to help with your cancellation claim.

I’d be annoyed if I had to cancel a holiday but then better safe than sorry.

[BillyMct]

From my experience and memories of my post stent recovery I recall having to carry a card advising any attending medical professional i was at risk of bleeds (due to blood thinners) for 1 month? and if the entry point is via femoral artery there is a risk of bleeding out should that leak and not be rectified. Mine leaked after about 2 weeks when I woke with a bit of a start during the night and could feel the blood pulsing into my buttock, I applied pressure to the entry point via a rolled up t-shirt (instructions from google at the time) and thankfully it sealed though left the characteristic black strakes around my groin /buttock from the blood seepage. it was probably only a minor leak around the artery plug inserted post stenting though still a bit worrying at the time and not something I'd have wanted to have to deal with on an airline or abroad.

[hedintheclouds]

My advice is speak to his cardiologist before you leave the hospital

[45sue]

I flew to France 2 .5 weeks post HA & 2 stents - cardiologist told me it was OK provided I had insurance. My existing insurance was cancelled forthwith & had to go to a company specialising in medical cover. But agree with comments that COVID may be the greater consideration. Anyone who has had a HA is in a high risk group so Spain would seem to be a no no.

[Handel]

Hi Billie51. I can only tell you about my husband in 2018. We had a holiday in the South of France booked with all the family in August 2018.

Following sudden arrhythmia and angina attacks late June 2018, he was sent for an angiogram and tests (July 2018) and was found to need a quad bypass (his arteries couldn't be stented).

We could do nothing but cancel the France holiday as the cardiologist and doctor just said a big NO to flying. With Covid19 and some problems in Spain, I'd really think twice about risking travel.

PS - Our GP was brilliant with letters etc and we claimed everything back from our insurers.

In January, we were about to book the holiday cottage in France again but this flippin' virus landed so we haven't bothered!!

Good luck and best wishes to hubby xxx