1 year on from HA

[Everytimeabellrings]

I had a HA in September 2022 and have made a good recovery. Will I be scheduled for any follow up appointments/tests? I’m also going on holiday next month and am a bit anxious about long flight. Any advice would be appreciated.

[EU95PTM]

I’m sorry to hear of your heart attack last year but pleased you are making a good recovery. I think patient’s experience is very varied. I have never met my cardiologist as he is different to the one who did my emergency stent. I’ve only spoken to him once, a year after the event (via a telephone consult) and that was only after I complained! If you have any concerns, do speak to your GP in the first instance and they can re refer you for further tests or follow ups if needed.

[Everytimeabellrings in reply to EU95PTM]

Thank you for responding so promptly - much appreciated.

[gilreid1]

other than medication review I not sure if a follow up is required. But have you asked your GP when you checked if you’re ok to Fly ? This may be required by your insurance.

Best ask

[Everytimeabellrings in reply to gilreid1]

Thanks for your advice- really appreciated.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

No advice on flying but just wanted to say I am glad you have recovered so well and hope you enjoy your holiday

Others will give you some great tips on flying and how they managed which from posts I have read they have been fine x

[Everytimeabellrings in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you so much for your good wishes.

[BeKind28- in reply to Everytimeabellrings]

x

[Tos92]

The anxiety is understandable. I was exactly the same when I flew out for the first time in April after my heart attack last year. Stress is a trigger for me, and I had already anticipated beforehand that the change in air levels would also trigger my angina whilst on the flight.

If you have a GTN spray, keep that to hand at all times during the flight and when in the airport. I personally experienced some angina whilst in air. I had my best friend with me, so it is wise to also travel with someone else as it can help ease those nerves. I don’t think she could feel her hands afterwards due to me holding them tightly throughout the whole 7 hour flight there 🤣.

I found breathing exercises on the flight helped when the nerves started kicking in, as well as reading a book which I took with me. If I had the chance to sleep, I also took advantage of that in an effort to keep my mind off the flying. I took compression socks as well, which was suggested on here by some forum members as a precaution. They are also easily available on Amazon or eBay. My feet did not swell going there however, they did swell on the way back.

If you require airport assistance, you can easily book this beforehand.

Make sure you have checked that your medications are allowed to enter the country you are flying to. If not, you will have to fill out a declaration form. I took all my medications with me in the original boxes, and any relevant medical letters and reports regarding my heart condition. Do ensure that you have a letter or some sort of correspondence from your cardiologist where he has cleared you for flying.

In terms of my travel insurance, I not only added my heart condition, but also anxiety as I was concerned I may have backed out on the day of the flight. My travel insurance pretty much sky rocketed after adding anxiety but it gave me peace of mind. Don’t forget that you have to declare all of your medical conditions, including those currently under investigation as it may in-validate your travel insurance.

If you type in “flying” or even “travel insurance” in the search bar, you’ll see a number of posts come up from when people have previously enquired and there may also be other ideas in those posts which you could benefit from.

In terms of being seen for an appointment, some are seen on a yearly basis - I am not. It might be worth calling your cardiology department in advance and asking them whether you have a review due before you fly.

Most importantly, enjoy your holiday!

All the best.

Tos

[Everytimeabellrings]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice.

[Suziib]

Hi there, I flew with my cardiologists blessing 6 weeks after my HA and 7 stents. They felt there was no reason not to go to my annual Christmas market trip.

They did however book me for a stress test 3 months after HA as I was booking a winter sun break for my 65th birthday and was planning on swimming I had planned to do 20 trips in 2020 in celebration of my milestone birthday which the cardiologist was aware of and fully supportive but Covid had other plans!!

I have flown a number of times in the past couple of years (13)but I never get as excited as I used to with the build up of the holiday even trying to back out the day before. 4 weeks ago I flew on my own and I was panicking but once on the plane it was fine. Take a listening book, I discovered these last year what an absolute godsend, maybe a colouring or puzzle book.

I must say though I also get the feeling of panic travelling on the tube but overcame that with help with the rehab team and psychologist.

For any follow up appointments contact the hospital team directly or ask your GP to refer you back, I saw the team at my hospital this year to assist with a recommended change in prescribed medication.

Enjoy your holiday and your second chance, I fully embrace my life despite the panic situations.

[PeterpPiper]

My advice:

Just enjoy the holiday, it’s exactly what you need

[aardvark68]

Just to reassure you, I had a STEMI heart attack and stents in 2015. I was cleared for a prebooked very long flight six weeks later and have flown long haul on numerous occasions since then with no problems whatsoever. I’m not a nervous flyer - which probably helps! However, your travel insurance premiums will go up quite a lot when you declare your condition- which you must do to ensure that you are covered. Also, apart from routine blood tests with my GP, I have not received any follow up appointments from the cardiologist. The assumption seems to be that once you have made a good recovery you can put the experience behind you. Enjoy your holidays.

[Everytimeabellrings]

Thank you - this is so reassuring! 😀

[Heartfairy]

Hello Everytimeabellrings, unfortunately I also had a HA (NSTEMI) last October so am coming upto one year then, so well done on your recovery and hope you are looking forward to your holiday. After 6 weeks of my HA I was told I was fit to fly so took a long haul flight for a hol we had to cancel during covid. Cardiologist simply advised me to drink plenty water and walk around the plane as often as possible. Due to the flight being long haul, I did decide to upgrade my seat so for the first time, I was able to put my feet up and recline on a bed - total luxury and what a treat! I have flown again long haul twice more, fortunately without problems but just did what I was told. Try and relax, enjoy some “you”’time on the flight, plenty water and walks around and you will find the flight will quite literally fly by! Have a fun and safe trip and just enjoy yourself (I know the first time can be nerve wracking) but everything will be fine. Do ensure you are fit to fly by the medics and have all your medication with you. Insurance sorted and simply enjoy! Let us know how it went when you’re back home. Safe travels ❤️🧚🏼‍♀️

[Hare123]

hi. My husband is just over a year since his. His GP ordered blood tests and an echo. Hope you enjoy your holiday

[Everytimeabellrings]

thank you

[HHH2017]

Hiya, totally agree with all the above. Each Heart episode is obviously different so follow ups seem to really vary. All I would add to other comments is have you had any cardio rehab? If not I'd definitely ask for a referral. I found it invaluable & hugely supportive/reassuring.

Hope you have a fab holiday.

[LSCE]

Hello, I had a HA I 2020. I had cardiology follow up after my HA. Check on your discharge letter, phone cardiology secretary if not sure. Annual blood tests and medication review with GP surgery is a minimum. Seems it's still a postcode lottery with healthcare. Enjoy your holiday, just make sure you have declared all pre existing medical conditions to your insurers.

[Everytimeabellrings in reply to LSCE]

Thanks for your response- it’s useful to know the various experiences of others.

[Qualipop]

I didn't seethe cardiologist at all after my heart attack but I did have bloods done by the GP after 12 months. You are normally told at that point to stop your anticoagulant but keep taking aspirin. I assume you have already had blood tests a few months after starting all your tablets? If they haven't yet told you to stop your clopidogrel or ticagrelor I would phone and ask and would also ask for bloods to be done.

[Everytimeabellrings in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you for this - I think I’ll wait until the ‘anniversary’ of my HA and if I haven’t heard anything from my GP or cardiologist I’ll contact my GP.