Flying with AF

[cholet]

Hi everyone i was diagnosed with AF 2years ago and so far fingers crossed i’ve been ok no major issues .. im due to fly for holiday my cardiologist says it’s fine but just wondered if anyone else had flown and what precautions if any did you do xx

[AAJJTt]

Hi Cholet, sorry a bit of a cute-paste from another post but it’s all the same. I don’t have any issues flying (short or long haul). I love travel and have been determined not to let PAF affect this.

My arrhythmia was diagnosed in 2019, following a heart attack and travel was curtailed for a few years after that, including the pandemic period but now I trying to make up for it.

I am fortunate my PAF is well controlled (no episodes for 3.5+ years) with daily medication (Flecainide) and I am generally fit and healthy too. Over time I have come to understand unhelpful behaviours which might affect me and mitigate them. I also have an additional PiP to fall back on too.

During a long haul flight, I ;

- stay hydrated and avoid too much alcohol but hey! I’m on holiday, a beer or wine with a meal is usually fine for me.

- eat but I never over eat or eat too late. Tricky sometimes on a flight changing timezones but I manage it. Eating late and being over full is generally not good for me anyway; something I avoid.

- to try and avoid jet lag, I always adopt the time zone of my destination as soon as possible.

- get some sleep / relax in tune with my destination.

- medication. I am on twice a day medication - 12 hours apart. Normally, I set a 12 hour timer on my watch after my last dose in local time. It is then just a bit trial and error were I blend my timings to reflect my destination +/- a few hours depending on the situation. This is very much a personal approach, I am sure others may do it other ways but it works for me, so far.

Then there’s just general things.

- good travel insurance - make sure all conditions are covered.

- check destination’s law/rules on importing medication and adhere to it. As a minimum, I take my last prescription and enough meds for trip in their original dispensing packaging.

- research medical facilities at destination.

Clearly travelling is a personal choice, taking into account your personal situation and appetite for risk too. For myself, I feel I have stability currently and I am trying to take advantage of it. Last year got out to Poland, Singapore and Borneo, more trips being planned for this year.

Best and I hope you manage to get away.

[cholet in reply to AAJJTt]

Wow you sound so positive i love that 😊.. and you have made me feel better about going away i will definitely take on board (no pun intended) all your advice . i have done a bit of research but didn’t think about time zone and my meds but i will now as im

same as you i take mine same time every day.

Enjoy all your holidays and thank you x

[AAJJTt in reply to cholet]

Meds - my arrhythmia med is twice a day with a higher evening dose, as my Afib has a vagal nature. On a 12/13 hour flight crossing multiple TZ, it just has to be thought about a little bit to make sure I have the highest concentration towards sleep. As I mentioned, so far, my approach seems ok.

It’s good that your cardiologist has said you are fine too, that’s reassuring for you. That should be on your medical record as well and can be referenced, if it’s ever needed (like an insurance company). I always made sure at any change (long haul, mountaineering, scuba diving) that it’s approved and documented.

BTW, if you haven’t seen it, there is also an AF Association forum on this platform. It has a very helpful and supportive community too and is focused on arrhythmias.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Try this

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...