Pacemaker holiday abroad

[Oldsurfdog]

Hi. My wife has a pacemaker fitted and we are going on holiday to Tenerife - do we need to find a hospital that can investigate the pacemaker if something happens on holiday.

[RufusScamp]

The cardiology department that fitted the device would be the people to ask. And your travel insurance company.

[Dj1962]

Hi...Also remember about not going through the airport scanner...🤔

[meadfoot]

My brother in law has been in southern Tenerife's main hospital several times on holiday and rates them highly. A colleague of my husband arranged his kidney dialysis there so he could still go on holiday many years ago. The NHS organised it in conjunction but i suspect such arrangements may well have been amended since then.

Check with your travel insurers to ensure you are covered. When i went to Spain i called the main private hospital to check on their cardiac services. They spoke perfect english and assured me of their expertise in dealing with arrhythmia. All worth trying to give you reassurance and comfort. Enjoy your holiday.

[Oldsurfdog]

Thanks for that guys. Sounds a bit more reassuring. I’ve written to the supplier but still awaiting a reply.

[Henry20]

Suggest you take a paper copy of any notes you have been given about your condition and what has been done to treat your condition. If anything does go wrong it helps the doctors treating you a lot. Keep it with you at all times, (except when swimming!)I had a collapse while on holiday in UK, the local a&e we're surprised I had the notes and very grateful. It meant they were far more certain about how to treat me. (The collapse proved not to be too serious).

[Oldsurfdog]

Thanks Henry I will do that. I’ll be lucky to get her in the pool so a soggy certificate shouldn’t be a problem 😂😂

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I was told to stay no further than 2 hours from a major trauma hospital, no trekking in outer Mongolia 😅It was an ICD I had, I keep a paper copy of all my meds in my bag and also have them in the emergency details bit on my phone, I take an extra 10 days meds in case anything happens and we get delayed, and of course I make sure my travel insurance knows everything.take care and have a fab holiday char

[DaveTR]

3 years ago I was admitted to hospital while on holiday in Lanzarote after I received a shock from my ICD.They brought in an ICD reader from one of the other islands.

I have a Medtronic ICD.

Pacemakers and ICDs mean we can and should live life. They are there to look after us and prevent hospitalisation.

Enjoy your holiday.