Hello everyone.
I have been offered the chance to go on a family holiday to the Cape Verdi islands and whilst I am not bothered normally about overseas travel this one means a lot.
Can I just ask from my fellow heart failure hearties have any of you gone and therefore it is safe to go there with HF.
It's likely to be Easter next year when it won't be too hot.
Thank you.
hi. I’ve got heart failure and a range of other health conditions. I went to South Africa in Nov last year and India in March this year. I also went to Krakow a few weeks ago. My insurance was expensive but it was worth it. I’m booked to go back to South Africa in January. I’ve got a letter from the cardiologist saying that I’m fit to travel and while it’s not essential for my insurance it gives me reassurance. I take a copy of my diagnosis and prescriptions from my GP with me and a quite comprehensive medical kit including coaguchek monitor and Kardia. It takes a bit more planning but it’s definitely possible to travel.
Yeah cant offer any advice as I don't even have passport 😂. Sounds amazing hope your able to go ❤️
thanks Yumz , neither do I have a valid passport (another thing I have to sort out).
Just adds to the stress in it. I am hoping to get one at some point cause my sister is moving to New Zealand soon with her hubby, always been scared of going on planes don't know how my heart would react. Gives you enough time to sort out a passport if your planning on going next year 🛂😅
Thanks Andy, I have a phobia with airports (not planes) but I think for this one occasion and what it will mean to the family I can put that aside 😀
Hi,
I can see that Cape Verde is a 6 hour flight from the U.K. I recently got back from a 7 hour flight. I experienced some angina whilst in air, and my feet did swell on the way back. A part from that, there wasn’t really any issues.
My travel insurance was very expensive, but like you said, it’s one in a lifetime type of holiday so I would think it’s worth it if your doctor gives you the all clear.
When looking for travel insurance, make sure you declare all your diagnoses, as this can make it difficult to claim back your medical expenses if you do become sick whilst abroad. If you’re under investigation for any medical issues, this will be excluded from your cover.
Get some compression socks as well to combat any swelling you may have.
You can also organise to have help at the airport to take some stress off you beforehand, I.E. to avoid standing for long hours or walking around, they can provide a wheelchair.
All the best.
Tos
Thanks Tos92, very good tips re the compression socks etc. and hadn't thought of them of that yet!
The question about help at the airport is a good call, we may have that anyway as my 86 year old father is going, and when he went to Berlin in April he had then from Manchester Airport and said how brilliant it was.
Surprised with the insurance quote a lot cheaper than I expected (and yes I did complete everything honestly), however as I am quite pedantic about things like that, I will ask someone else to give it a once over beforehand.
Hello Heartifact thanks for taking the time to respond, not sure that Lynn can with her suffering a heart attack, and me only having heart failure.
Dear You,
Yes I have been to Cape Verdi, diving but that was well before the heart happening, you have to remember that it is a collection of islands.
I stayed on Santiago and what I saw { never needed it } was some very modern hospitals, I am not sure if they are private or not but it would be worth finding out.
As for the place.............breathtaking from its people to its food, the only reason I have not returned is that I don't dive anymore and I am not just a sun worshipper.
Enjoy every moment with your family, you really do deserve it .
Thanks Blue, I think we are considering one of the other islands (leaving that to the family) to sort out, the good thing is that they are looking to take my predicament into consideration.
Wouldn't normally be bothered normally but really up for this one, when I was first diagnosed as i thought I had very little time left one of my initial challenges was to be around for Christmas 21 to spend time with my nephews (who I love dearly), as I know now I smashed that one 😜so this is another challenge for me to aim/look forward to.
Hi Uzininemm
There's some great advice in the previous responses for you to follow up, so I won't repeat anything that's already been recommended.
I've ever been to Cape Verde, but flew last year to Japan (14.5hrs) & recently to Austria (2hrs) with heart arrithmia, & I'd now suggest looking into the following for travel to anywhere at all:
... check with the Consulate office that all of your medications are allowed into the Country you are visiting.
You might find you need a permit for some meds OR maybe even to change the type of medication if it is not allowed.
Just because a Doctor or Hospital prescribes it in the UK, does not mean that it is legal to take it into another country & you need to be aware of what their laws state.
... consider timescale if the visit too, as sometimes you can only take so many days meds in to a country & if you are there for longer, either you need a permit to import more meds OR you'll need to see a Doctor while you are there to get more meds (which might differ from the ones you are on now)
.... take all medications in their original boxes
.... double check the right no of days of meds is in the box supplied by the pharmacy - before you pack them!
.... take a few days extra than you need (if you can) in case of delays home
..... carry all meds in your hand luggage
....take all medical paperwork, including a letter from your GP about what medications you are on and what they are for (If you can get this translated that might be beneficial too).
.... if you can, find contact details of an English Speaking Doctor & pharmacy there, before you go (so that you aren't trying to find one in a panic situation if you aren't well)
.... carry medical details / meds details when out & about (medialert info) - so that you have them with you if needed in an emergency
..... if you need to have oxygen on the flight / carry your own oxygen ..... then check the requirements of the airline! Also, check where you can get too up / further supplies the other end
... don't get dehydrated on the flight or in the sunshine
...don't do too much & get over tired
.... avoid both heat & sun stroke
... be good (if possible)
... have fun 😄.
Thank you for the really good additional advice, had already thought of some of the things you have said re meds (and not getting arrested at customs) and if they are acceptable but you have added to them (in a good way). Already discussed when to go (Easter as it won't be too hot, and for 7 days) also have also discussed I don't over do it or need to much fluids.
Just been there and watching the boys having an amazing time, will be irreplaceable memories for me.
Then I very much hope you all get to go & that you have a great time planning for it, as well as being there.
If you can manage financially to increase the duration a little it will give you more time to get over the travel & have plenty of rest between visits / doing things, but I do understand that's not always possible.
You said that you didn't airports .... some now have designated 'quiet areas' where you can sit to wait , or check if your tickets will give you access to a lounge, it's usually quieter to sit in the lounges too & there's sometimes free food.
Only other idea is you could see if you could hire a wheelchair out there - push it when you feel OK but if you get too breathless & tired someone else can push you ... we used to do this with my Dad who had A/F and Heart Failure as he never wanted to be left behind & miss out on holidays / days out. It allowed us to do & see so much more as a family when we didn't have access to a car.
Excellent list.
I use a portable oxygen concentrator when I fly.
I need to fill in a form with the details of the concentrator for the airline and a fit to fly letter which needs to be issued within a month of flying.
I also book assisted travel so I get taken through security in a wheel chair. It saves me from standing for long periods which I can't do easily.
I also wear a sunflower lanyard, indicating I have an invisible disability.
The lanyards are available from Sainsburys or at the airport information desks.
Sorry forgot ..... you may need to look into how to adjust the timings of your meds for any time-change between the countries especially if you are on water tablets . Nurse at the GP Surgery might be able to assit with this, ask when youu book to check if you need any extra jabs for the country.
Hello Heartfelt I will PM Lynn (might give me some advice in regards to taking meds in following other emails).
Update.
Firstly thank you everyone for your advice and encouragement to go.
What I didn't say earlier was that I had a first face to face appointment with my consultant lined up for today (it was that important as I wanted to know some first hand experiences first).
The good news is he has said I can go 😃. As he is recommending me for another MRI he told me to await the results before doing the insurance.
This is the first time he has seen me since being in hospital 2 years ago, he was really pleased with my progress and one of the things he said to me he wanted a new MRI as on slim people the pictures may not always be the best.
He has said he was thinking of a pacemaker but now thinks this might not be needed as it won't necessary improves matters due to my age.
The other interesting thing was he is sending me for genetic testing, as he has not been able to establish why I got heart failure in the first place, he was saying this was a relative new area.
Also he is getting someone to contact me about doing a medical family tree.
hi. That’s excellent news. Your cardiologist sounds fab. Enjoy your holiday, I’m sure it will be amazing.
That sounds good news Uzininemm. Good luck for your tests. Hope you dont have to wait too long for them.
Also the genetic testing may be a step towards identifying risk or obtaining screening for other members of your family. Thats a good way of getting them help if it's needed much eariler than might have otherwise occurred.
Thanks Andy,
Really happy, as he said yes we all need our holidays😀
He said 2 years ago they didn't know why I had got heart failure, and it was reassuring to know that he was still interesting in finding out why. The other important thing tied to that as I explained to him was if it is genetic could it affect either of my nephews (I know it worried her at the time), so finding out does have it's pluses.
Found it really interesting, (just wish it hadn't happened to me).
Should I go to A & E
should I go for PIP
Bradycardia shoukd I go to a& e
can I ask a question. 
Can i do any excersise 
