Holiday - flying

[Rubyzog]

My husband would like us to go abroad for some winter sun in the next couple of weeks. Following my CABG in July I am anxious about flying. Should I be worried ?

[Tos92]

Hi Ruby,

Have you gotten the all clear to fly by your cardiologist first? If so, that’s a first good step. The next thing would be to get some travel insurance if you haven’t already, that covers your heart condition. Please note that any undiagnosed conditions or conditions under investigation are unlikely to be covered by a travel insurance provider.

I flew for the first time in April 2023 after my heart attack. I was very anxious too however, I prepared myself beforehand by making sure I had my medication on my carry on, my medical reports/letters with me, compression socks, a book to read to distract myself, and I also travelled with someone else, and I see you will be travelling with your husband which makes all the difference. I did also have anxiety added to my travel insurance for extra piece of mind. It did increase my travel insurance costs however, I felt safer doing this in case I changed my mind on the day.

Also check the medication/drug entry requirements for the country you are going to in order to make sure you are allowed to take your medications with you. I also got a week’s worth of extra medication from my GP before flying as a precaution to take with me.

You can also ask for airport assistance prior to flying which may save you from standing for long hours in airport queues.

I did experience angina whilst I was in the air however, it was not as frightening as I thought it would be. I think we often imagine things to be a lot scarier or worse than they actually are.

I hope you enjoy your holiday if you do choose to travel.

All the best.

Tos

[Rubyzog in reply to Tos92]

Thank you your reply has been very helpful.

[Mentdent]

Flying is only like getting on a bus except the queues are longer. Quality of life is important. Go and enjoy yourself if you can.

[Giant68]

I had 5x CABG in July 2019 and I asked my cardiologist if I was ok to fly for the October half term that year. He said to go, relax and enjoy myself. So I did. No problems. Some sunshine and blue skies did me the world of good.

[CyclingTime]

No need to be worried, I have flown three times since mine two years ago.

Post a CABG all should be back to normal. If your worried check with your doctor but I am sure they will give you the thumbs up

[devonian186]

Two things. Firstly do YOU feel up to it? Its quite a long winded thing to go away, from booking to packing, getting to the airport, parking, waiting, checking in, security, the flying itself and then arriving, getting to the hotel etc then everything in reverse. Have you done anything as long winded up to now. Did you feel able to cope?

I took the easy way out and to check if flying (and all that surrounds it) was something I could stil do took the easiest flight imaginable -Exeter to Guernsey! All was fine and I felt better able to cope with going to Austria last December.

You will need to declare everything to your insurers and I recommend justtravelcover.com which guides you online through a series of questions. You can see if they are happy for you to fly and the insurance costs.

Presumably your cardiologist has signed you over to your GP?

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I flew a year after my transplant and only Glasgow to Bournemouth (terrible holiday) I would have went sooner but we were in lockdown, three months later in the September even with the forms and restrictions we went to Majorca and it was fantastic the weather was amazing the hotel was right on the beach, it was definitely worth the hassle at the airport. We always book a return taxi transfer it saves so much time and it's a lovely way to start your holiday. I don't get airport assistance because we always travel with hand luggage only, so no queueing to check in or at baggage reclaim. I hope you get booked up soon and have a fab time 🌞🌞char

[Lowerfield_no_more]

1, Talk to the health professional who is responsible for your care, likely still to be the cardiology team at your hospital unless you have been discharged back to the GP.

2. Read this about travel insurance

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...