holidays after heart attack

[Sandylikeabeach]

has anyone done holidays at altitude after heart attack, thinking 18months plus after heart attack. Would want to understand if it’s safe and how to build up to travel to Nepal. Also travel insurance recommendations if people have used for travel at altitude. Thanks in advance

[PadThaiNoodles]

I have valve disease, not ischaemic heart disease. But I was still advised that altitude was not a good idea.

I grew up in Colorado, which I still go back to once or twice a year (ignoring my cardiologist's advice).

That being said, he knows, and wasn't very surprised. He prescribed acetazolamide (Diamox) which I take for 2 or 3 days prior to travel and then the first 2 or 3 days at altitude.

Our place in Colorado is at 9,600'.

[Sandylikeabeach in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

thank you, that is really helpful

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Try a site for travel insurance with pre-existing medical insurance to see what your insurance options are. I would also check on the medical care facilities in the area you intend to visit. And I would also check with the cardio people to see if they have any comments on your fitness to function at altitude.

[Sandylikeabeach in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you

[Borderterriorist]

You need to talk to your cardiologist, no one on this forum knows your medical history and for some conditions I do know that altitude is an issue. My daughter is an anaesthetist but also fits in expedition medicine and is responsible for ensuring people are safe. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be happy for anyone to be in the group with heart issues unless they had been given a clean bill of health to travel and had very good insurance. She's hiked in Nepal (Everest base camp etc) and it's not easy to get people down if they are ill, the flight into Lukla is enough to give some people a heart attack. I'm not a doctor and I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm but I think you may find it difficult to get insurance however if your doctor says you're OK to do it then I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Sandylikeabeach in reply to Borderterriorist]

Thank you, much appreciate the feedback, especially with your daughter’s insight. Much appreciated, thank you

[Borderterriorist in reply to Sandylikeabeach]

Hi my daughter rang this morning so I had a quick chat about your post. She's not a cardiologist but she did say it will absolutely depend on your medical condition but for some it is potentially dangerous. She sometimes works for a well known company and she says they would want extensive information about your condition and if they agreed to take you the accompanying doctor would be given all the necessary information. She's done a lot of altitude hiking and says anyone, even someone very fit can experience altitude sickness so good insurance which includes helicopter rescue is important for anyone going on these type of trips regardless of any other issues they might have. On her trip to Everest base camp, two people returned part way with altitude sickness even though they had taken time to aclimitise by not going the shortest route. My daughter is very fit but some of the hikes can be gruelling especially if you pick up a stomach bug or a cold as anything that affects your ability to stay hydrated or affects your breathing can be very debilitating.

[Sandylikeabeach in reply to Borderterriorist]

Thank you and your daughter so much, this is really helpful. So great to have this insight and advice 🙏

[Genteel1]

Hi Sandy. I flew 2 weeks after my heart attack. That's how long my cardiologist who performed the stent operation advised me to wait. I actually flew to several places. That was 16 years ago.I now have hf, but I get insurance for pre-existing conditions when I travel. I am in Thailand for the winter this year.

I would say get advice from your cardiologist on how good your ejection fraction is for your heart and your fitness level. Possibly have a fitness test for your heart condition and have good insurance cover. All the best.

[Sandylikeabeach in reply to Genteel1]

Hi, sorry to hear that you now have hf, but great to hear that hasn’t stopped your adventures! Thank you for your advice, a fitness test would be great. Enjoy Thailand!

[devonian186]

As others have said, just check before you even book as to whether you would be covered for your proposed adventures.

You are dealing with high altitude (much less oxygen so the heart beats faster) , being out in the "wilds", undertaking an inherently risky activity and where any medical rescue would cost a fortune.

I use justtravelcover.com.

I would suggest you spend 5 minutes inputting your details into this to see what quotes come back.

Many sites do not like the idea of altitudes let alone the other caveats I have mentioned.

We are all different and I don't know what your circumstances are, but this is definitely one of those times where you need to check before you book. Your trekking co might be very reluctant to take you unless you have very comprehensive cover.

[Sandylikeabeach in reply to devonian186]

Thank you for your advice. I just put in my details, and above 4000m you need to ring up, so that in itself is interesting. I think I need to check how I fair at lower altitude first! Thank you for your help, much appreciated!

[devonian186 in reply to Sandylikeabeach]

My first flight I wanted to be as easy as possible as I didnt know how I would cope with flying and the hassle of an airport and traveling there.

I flew from nearby Exeter to Nearby Guernsey (25 mins). That went fine so I was emboldened to go to our usual place in Austria (in winter) That went fine despite a blizzard.

If you want to try altitude I can thoroughly recommend Zermatt. An easy flight to Geneva. Then 2 trains will take you to Zermatt at 1500 metres. Further cable cars will taker you up to nearly 4000 metres and a trip into Italy if you want!. It will also encompass the cold you would likely meet in Nepal.

We had a room overlooking the Matterhorn and could see the sun glowing ink on its peak. Wonderful

I had a quad bypass at the ae of 70 so entirely different circumstances to you but the same principles of caution apply

[Sandylikeabeach in reply to devonian186]

Sounds stunning!

[mesally]

Prior to heart attack we went to Machu Pichu and were warned of the need to acclimatise in cusco to avoid breathing difficulties. Those with cardiac or breathing problems were advised not to do this trip s also special insurance was needed. Please speak to your doctor as I think heights of over 2000 are not recommended

[Nunk]

Hello, I recently flew to west Canada 12 months after my heart attack. I had to cancel it last year because I ended up having 3 stents fitted 3 weeks before I was due to fly. I checked with my doctor before and had no problems whatsoever flying there or returning to the UK. Insurance will be expensive but it’s vital you have it. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

[Sandylikeabeach in reply to Nunk]

I’m so pleased that you got to go! Did your travel insurance cover your heart condition. I’ve noticed some state pre-existing conditions don’t affect price, but that is simply because they don’t cover them!! 🙄

[Nunk]

It cost me over £400 buy covered everything. They had to have access to my records through my doctor though.