Holidays...

[Redkegs]

Hi hearties, hope you are all doing well and having a good summer. Been a wet one up here in Scotland so far!Which brings me neatly onto my topic, holidays. I'm hoping to book a holiday in April to Las Vegas and Italy in August.Does anyone have any experience of going to a hot climate with a heart complaint? I have read about not using saunas etc but was wondering about the climate and of its manageable or best avoided? Thanks in advance. Stay safe!

[Happyrosie]

I can only comment on my husband’s experience. Over 40 degrees for a few days a couple of years ago we just took things very gently and had no heart issues.

Travel insurance to the US is expensive, so don’t forget to get that priced in to your total costs before you book.

[Redkegs in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi Happyrosie, thanks for the reply. I looked at weather in Las Vegas in April average is around 27c. I'd mainly be going to see shows the main one being an all weekend outdoor one. I've not looked into holiday insurance, will look into it. Didn't factor that in yet. Good point!

[trafar in reply to Redkegs]

I did vegas end of March beginning of April and it’s a very pleasant time to go the weather was not too hot then.

[RufusScamp]

I have no expertise, but would avoid places with a likelihood of very high temperatures. That might mean coping with Scottish midges.

[Redkegs in reply to RufusScamp]

I'm on the east coast so not so many midges more rain rain and more rain. Good for the garden I guess lol.

[shirls59 in reply to Redkegs]

I am also in the north east of Scotland where is summer . Redkegs definitely look into cost for travel insurance before booking holiday as can be so expensive.

[Traveldreams]

it’s been hard to tell this year as the weather has been so rubbish. I had my op at the end of January and I’m no longer on water tablets so interested what will happen in heat.

Booked to go to Italy this summer. Have ensured that I have air con and a balcony with a view in.case it’s too much. Hoping it is fine.

I did cancel Florida as I didn’t fancy a walking heat trip yet.

[RoyM]

I am in permanent AF and have been for 8 years I am also being monitored for a dilated Aorta. We have been to many hot countries over the past few years, we have done 3 road trips in the USA and the hottest place was Death Valley in California which is one of the hottest places on earth and is not very far from Las Vegas the temperature was 54 c translates to approx 127f I had no issues at all but keep hydrated and enjoy the trip.

[NannyPat1]

I’ve been abroad a lot since my HA with no issues with heat. USA astronomical in terms of insurance I found, quoted £900 for 2 week stay so not been there!

[gorillaqueen]

Hi I’ve been to warmer climes since my CABG X3 but not in the hotter months. I was ok and had no issues. Italy in August will be hot but if you take care and keep well hydrated hopefully you should be ok. Maybe you should seek medical advice before you leave. As happy Rosie has pointed out travel insurance to U.S can be very expensive so hope you find one that’s reasonable. Good luck enjoy your travels 😊🌞X

[aardvark68]

Hi Redkegs. Six weeks after my STEMI and cardiac arrest in 2015 I toured India in August with temperatures above 35 every day. No problems. Since then I spend half of every year in a country with a similar daytime temperature and no air conditioning. It’s fine if you make sure you stay hydrated and avoid excessive sunshine. Have just returned from the USA last week and the main issue I noticed was the excessive use of air conditioning! Coming in from outside temperatures over 30 to a blast of cold air which required me to take a jumper or shawl around with me everywhere was a shock to my system.

As a few people have mentioned already, shop around for travel insurance well in advance of booking your trips.

[Heartfairy]

Hello Redkegs wow how exciting looking forward to some great travels to Vegas & Italy. I’ve been to both since my HA (in 2022) and must say everything was fine. Vegas has the benefit of air conditioning in every hotel and shop but be careful if it’s a hot day at the Grand Canyon if you go. Again I was fine but I ensured I drank plenty water - do stay hydrated anyway. Italy was also great, bit more relaxing as there were so many beautiful little squares to sit in, have a drink and people watch 🤣! On the insurance side, I bought annual insurance and it cost me about £850. You definitely need it for USA. Get quotes, a lot of companies to choose from but ensure that you’re not waiting for any test results or procedures as they are unlikely to cover you and you definitely can’t take chances especially with your Vegas trip. Try Staysure, All clear, Avanti - as I say there are plenty more and ensure you disclose everything medical! Get your hols booked, something to look forward to and have fun. Good luck on the slots 🤣! Oh and walk around on the plane and stay hydrated, the Vegas flight is a long one but well worth it. Good luck 👍, love ❤️🧚🏼‍♀️

[Sanmo]

I've been to Europe twice in mid summer for a long weekend since my CA and I really struggled in the heat, not pleasant in the slightest. Being Scottish and very fair skinned I don't enjoy the heat so much but could normally tolerate it by being sensible, but it's been a different story since the CA, felt really quite ill during the day, my heart rate rose significantly and felt fatigued and lethargic but was OK in the evenings, all in all it's something I'd rather not repeat. Trying Costa del Sol this November, used to go every year around the same time and found it very pleasant, like a warm(ish) summers day in Scotland without the rain 😉

[Sleepyzz]

I struggle in the heat but I think individuals react differently. When you are looking for insurance these people are worth a try, very good service and found me a good option. Certainly check insurance costs before booking if you can. 1stopinsurance.com

[Ailsablue]

Hi, yep we’ve certainly had a wet one up here but fingers crossed it changes for us. The heat really goes for me since my permanent AFib diagnosis. I had my first holiday abroad in a while to Rhodes last year and chose to go in September to try to avoid full summer temperatures. However, it was still very hot but as it was a relaxing beach type holiday in a beautiful hotel with huge fancy pool it was easy to keep cool.

My saving grace was packing an empty metal cooling bottle with a good carry handle which I filled with bottled water straight from the fridge and which kept cool forever! The other thing I would not have been without was another new buy - of one of those rechargeable neck fans. It didn’t have those big round fans on the end but was more discreet looking. I’ve just checked with my husband (being an man) and he says he would be fine walking around with it on as it kinda looks like headphones. Infact I had shopkeepers asking me about it - think they were feeling the heat and were jealous lol!

[AAJJTt]

Hi, this really does depend on your own personal circumstances.

I had a heart attack (NSTEMI type II) - over 5 years ago and that was my introduction to Afib (paroxysmal); the eventual conclusion was the untreated and undiagnosed arrhythmia caused a small transient clot that entered my heart = slight lv impairment. Discharged with medication and exercise ( no other interventions, like stents, etc.)

I was always a healthy and active person, and thankfully I’ve been able to regain and maintain this post-MI recovery.

I enjoy travel and have been making up for lost time post COVID. Last year, I was in Vegas/Nevada in Aug - 45+c; I will be making the same trip next month too. I was also on Borneo for a vacation as well; l just love the climate in the tropics. To supply some context, I don’t sit by a pool or anything either, most trips involve hiking, climbing, swimming, snorkelling.

All trips were perfectly fine, not a blip from my heart; probably less than at home. Needless to say, I do take all the other precautions when travelling too for keeping stable - medicine, sleep, time zone acclimation and hydration plus good travel insurance.

My advice is assess yourself honestly, then plan accordingly and enjoy the trip. If my condition changes at all then I reevaluate again.

Off to Laos in November; can’t wait.

Best

[Redkegs]

Wow thanks to everyone for the excellent advice and experiences, given me much food for thought.