I have recently had a mechanical valve fitted on July 28th, 2022; I have a holiday booked on November 17th, 2022, flying from the UK to Morocco for a week's break, I can assure you I won't be riding camels or doing any sports, just a simple break sat at the pool.
My question is .... is it safe to fly (4 hours flight) and if it's safe as I am worried about am i likely to get blood clots because of the pressure from altitude, cabin pressure etc.
I am on Warfarin (6) my INR is up and down between 1.6 -4.2 the last few weeks and have a high cholesterol level at the moment also at 6 which i know i need to reduce.
I look forward to your kind answers, have a lovely day all.
Thankyou .
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steveyboy53
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Others will reply about Warfarin.I would advise you to wear flight socks even for a 4 hour flight. and esp. if you are inclined to clots. Best not to get Deep vein thrombo. in flight or in Morocco.Some might say they are not necessary for a short flight but i would not risk it.I guess you are going to have insurance, and to cover any flight back to uk in the event of a health issue, to cover your holiday?
I'd ask your GP or cardiologist if they believe you're fit to fly - they have the experience/knowledge in this field, as well as access to your records.
I've a trip to France planned in a couple of weeks, and my GP has said they think it'll be fine, but they are confirming with the cardiologist, as they might advise on any precautions etc. Obviously insurance is something else to consider.
Fingers crossed for you, a wee pool break sounds ideal!
hi. I had a mitral valve replacement in January and already had a holiday in South Africa (safari) booked for nov. I’d already postponed twice due to the c virus. I thought I would have to cancel again but when I saw a cardiologist in June he told me there was no reason not to go as long as I had ample travel insurance. I’m on warfarin and he said this would guard against clots but to walk around frequently and remain hydrated during the flight. It’s nearly 15 hours. In the last 12 months I’ve had a stroke, 2 open heart surgeries, endocarditis etc etc and my travel insurance has cost a fortune. I’m definitely not a risk taker by nature but the cardiologist told me that I needed to start living my life and that his patients always regretted the things they didn’t do, rather than the things they did. I’ve bought a coaguchek meter to take with me to manage the warfarin and made sure that I’m aware of medical facilities on our route. Plan as much as you can, make sure you know where the local hospitals are and have good travel insurance. If you can, get your cardiologist to write a letter stating that you are fit to fly as this may help with insurance should the worst happen. After that, just go and have a fantastic time. 😊
hi. I was refreshing to hear someone say it after all the doom and gloom of the last few years. I think after heart problems we sometimes become afraid of doing the things that we want to do. I’m still wary of travelling all the way to South Africa but if it all goes well it’ll give me the confidence to do so many other things. 😊
I have the same as you. I fly regularly and always put my flight socks on, regardless of length. My cardiologist told ne to go live my life after having my mechanical valve. It took about 18 months to get back to a normal, fit life and I have only had one instance at the security area. It would not stop beeping. Eventually the stripped me and still it beeped. I told them about my MV and in the end, they let me go 😄😄 I don't know if it was that, but never had it happen b4 or after and flown loads of times since. My insurance is high, as have clotting issues, but go live your best life, but get the nod from your cardiologist/consultant.
Your valve shouldn't set off any scanners, mine never has. Carrying the valve card is a sensible precaution though in case you ever need treatment in a country where you do not speak the language.
Only ever happened to me once and don't know what it was, but they stripped searched me and gave up after that. I kept telling them about my MV. Maybe their scanner was very sensitive?? Take your card, no harm doing so, but I have flown plenty of times and no problems except that one time? 🤷♀️🤷♀️
I'm flying to Lanzarote tomorrow. Its my first flight since having OHS 4 years ago. I am a little nervous but as so many have said, if you dont do it you'll regret it. Have fun and ride those camels!
I cannot tell about the warfarin, cause I had the Ross procedure and I am not on it, but you should get the green light from your cardiologist or cardiac nurse before flying. Hope you make the holiday! ✈️
Hi Richard. Sorry I didn't see your comment before. I am actually very pleased I was lucky enough to be given the option and I went for the Ross procedure. I have a pretty active lifestyle and the idea of being on warfarin wasn't appealing at all to me, in addition to the other known issues with mechanical valves (ticking sound, etc..). On the other side, being still young I wasn't a good candidate for normal biological valves, as the don't last long enough. The Ross basically it's a great compromise which grants longer expectancy (hopefully) without the mechanical valve side effects and excellent hemodynamics. The downside is obviously the procedure involves touching a second heart valve which is working fine, but hey, can't have it all :-). Luckily the procedure went really well! Are you considering it as an option?
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