Recent diagnosis of Atrial Flutters and Fibrillation and “may have” microvascular angina. Meds are Bisoprolol, Apixaban, Atorvastatin (and GTN spray which I’ve never needed)
Thank you to those who recently responded to my query re travel insurance – I’m now seeking advice on Long-haul travel tips – (Australia transiting via USA so two lengthy flights) essentially I’m looking for any tips regarding how to make the journey safer, less arduous/demanding etc
Whilst I have flown to Europe a couple of times recently without any issues, it’s about 20 years since I tackled Australia…. So any and all thoughts gratefully received
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guinness1759
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I know that flight well, presumably it's London to LA, and then on to Australia?
Not much to say except personally I find Bisoprolol the dream medication for long haul flights! I always used to sleep well on planes before my heart issues, but now with Bisoprolol I sleep really, really well!
I suggest you ask your Cardiologist to confirm whether this is the case. Also ask the airline if you need permission to fly if you are suspected of having microvascular angina.
You must declare to your insurers if you are under investigation for any heart condition. This is really important to do if a doctor has written in your medical records or clinic letter that you may have microvascular angina. If you don't you might end up with a hefty bill.
I live with vasospastic angina another type of non obstructive coronary artery disease.
My Cardiologist has given me permission to take short haul flights only.
The airline requires me to have a fit to fly letter.
I am determined to get to Australia. It's going to take several flights and stop overs.
Thank you for taking the time to reply - whilst I was aware that I should ensure all conditions including the "may have" element are declared to insurers, I will now certainly pursue the "permission to fly" letter, maybe combined with confirmation that these are the meds she takes/needs and conditions they're for. I wouldn't be going to Australia at this time if it wasnt for the fact its for daughters wedding! Have jokingly said the cost of insurance is in lieu of a wedding gift.... Hey ho
Do be careful about your insurance and what your condition is. I know that before I fly with my 94 year old husband and myself with a bypass that I must be meticulous about what I declare and even then I get a bit stressed . I don’t want to be a damp squid but would hate to end up with a huge medical bill . Hope you have a great holiday
After my heart attack i still am a very frequent flyer (about 100000 miles a year) - my advice is to keep stress low by ensuring you do not have tight connections between flights, maybe leave a day for layovers if you can to help with jetlag, rest well on the plane if you can and keep a relaxed attitude to the stressy things that can happen on public air travel. When you arrive leave yourself a couple of days to recover doing a lot of outside relaxation to get your body clock in sync. The usual things also apply, keep well hydrated, keep your medicines in your hand luggage.Good luck.
I work for an airline ( cabin crew) and also had a heart attack in 2021. I take pretty much the same meds as you and doing longhaul flights isn’t an issue . You will be fine !! As someone said keep stress levels to a min, inform your airline. If you have been given as good an all clear from cardiologist, am not 100% sure you’d need a fit to fly . But always good to check these things out before . Have a lovely holiday ..
Thanks for your very reassuring response. I'm guessing you're on your feet up and down the aisles all the time unlike your passengers.Have booked aisle seats to enable me yo get up without disturbing others.
Perhaps more by accident than design we arrived at both destinations late at night and given we slept only fitfully on the plane were ready for bed at both ends. So we didn't have any serious jet lag.
I used flight stockings.
Got up when I could on the flights - we picked aisle seats so we didn't have to climb over other passengers.
At the stops in the airport I lay on the floor and put my feet on a chair to elevate my legs; and also because we had so much time at each airport we walked for at least an hour I reckon.
Took ALL my meds and copy of prescription in hand luggage. Was never queried about it.
Insured through Staysure and disclosed everything (but didn't know about, or get, fit to flight certificate). Deliberately avoided going via USA because of insurance costs.
Didn't drink any booze on plane but plenty of water.
All went well for me.
Hope it does for you and enjoy your holiday!
John
Hi guinness1759 ,
This is just a reminder that content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and your doctor. Please avoid making any changes to your lifestyle or advising others to do the same, without speaking to a health professional first. Many thanks
Hello, I hope my original post was within the rules - I would not consider going against advice of health professionals, just trying to gauge what I can do to make flights easier for me as a "newbie" based on experience of others on the forum.
I think AF is not such a risk as made out , I see my latest medical assessment , says permanent AF, first diagnosed 50 yrs ago , I have never known any symptoms , so My advice would be to enjoy your trip , compression stockings , and foot exercise.
But beware Bisopropol and blood thinners , make skin allergic to sun , light sensitive I have been on 10m Biso for 9 yrs , so you may be on less …but I cannot let the Florida sun near my skin without it blistering , I wear factor 70 cream , and use Calamine lotion, but the reaction has caused us to sell our home , so we are on our last visit at present , so cover up and enjoy your holiday.
I hadn't heard about the BISOPROLOL / sunshine issue, so thanks for the warning (not much sunhine seen since being prescribed late November!). I'll get stocked up on the sunscreen so hopefully that won't be a major problem. Also a great excuse for a wide brim hat!
buy the cream in OZ , they do not sell a strong sunblock here, but keep arms and legs covered , All blood thinners also have this light sensitivity affect..
hi I recently took a 14 hour non stop flight to South Africa. I have heart failure, previous atrial flutter and I had a stroke last year. I had open heart surgery in sept 21 and jan 22 after suffering from endocarditis. The flight was absolutely fine other than I terrified myself thinking about the “what if”s”. Before I went I got a letter from a cardiologist saying that I was fit to fly and made sure that my insurance was good. I didn’t need the letter but he was happy to write one anyway. The cardiologist actually encouraged me to go and told me that I needed to live my life. I took all of my medications on board with a letter from my gp listing my prescription and my medical conditions. Nobody checked my meds at all even though I was carrying tons of them including tinzaparin injections. I’m off to India next month and will do exactly the same. Just make sure that you are hydrated and have your meds and medical info to hand. Good luck.
WOW! - thanks for this. You are right about the "what ifs" - it often simply stops us doing things, I'm just trying to dot the I's and cross the T's , plan ahead, and take good advice from others who seem to understand the questions going round in my head.
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