Can you fit with ascending aortic aneurysm

[Lovenorthern]

I am due to go on holiday in July (four and a half hour flight) and have asked my gp if it is OK to fly, I was told to discuss with cardiologist but I am waiting for appt after he gats all info together. My aaa measures 44mm and when I googled for information there were no specific answers. Has anyone got any information or advice that could help before I have to cancel the holiday, it would be really appreciated.

[happyrosie1]

you could ring the cardiac nurses at the BHF - see the website for details. They are knowledgeable and helpful.

[Lovenorthern in reply to happyrosie1]

I tried earlier in the week and they said they could not comment as I was not directly in their care, but thank you very much for your reply.

[Vanilla88]

I can’t give you medical advice or approval, however I have a similar condition to you mine at 49mm. Diagnosed 2019. Over the years I have seen you question crop up on other groups and no one has ever confirmed they were told they couldn’t fly, it’s always been the opposite. It’s frightening to be aware of this problem, but my philosophy is to get on with life, I’m not scared of what might happen only scared of living a restricted life.

[Lovenorthern in reply to Vanilla88]

Thanks for your reply, I think I am so nervous because I have not had chance to ask the questions I need answered by a medical professional yet and my gp just seems to sit on the fence.

[Safeangel]

Hi I have a TAAA and BAV and currently at 49.5cm and I am going on holiday this year . I have been told I'm ok to fly and no issues. I did a 11 hour flight 2 years ago at 4.8cm. You will need to check with your cardiologist but fingers crossed you will be fine to fly.

It's the hot weather and controlling blood pressure which is very important.

You may want to wear compression socks if you are concerned whilst flying.

I have thought if the anursym doesn't grow anymore I'm just stopping myself from enjoying life whilst waiting.

[Lovenorthern in reply to Safeangel]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, still trying to adjust to questioning what I can and can’t do so all opinions are greatly received.

[Lexi72]

hi lovenorthern I have asked a couple of cardiologists about this and was told in my case it was ok to fly (45/46 dilated aortic root) the only thing I was told not to do was go on holiday to very high altitude countries like Ecuador. I also I have generally managed to get travel insurance at a cost. I did, like you, try googling this without much succcess but did discover that under CAA guidelines pilots can still generally fly with an ascending aortic aneurysm ( below 50) if it is regularly monitored and signed off by a doctor. When I was first diagnosed I was about to fly to Japan and had to get a fit to fly certificate for the insurer from a private cardiologist as the flight was only a week away. He said it was not an issue and signed the certificate but said I needed to wear flight socks. For peace of mind I would check with your cardiologist I suspect however that you may have to go private to get an appointment at short notice If you do go I hope that you have a really lovely time with your family. I would agree with safeangel Try not to let the condition stop you enjoying itself. It may be years and years before you need an operation and the key thing is that your condition has been identified so it can be monitored Take care Lexi

[Lovenorthern in reply to Lexi72]

Every piece of information I get from this sight is a bonus and I really appreciate your reply.

[DilatedAortaRunner]

as others have said I think it’s a case of having to carry on with life. I think if you had surgery planned then I wouldn’t be flying. I was diagnosed a week before a holiday to Spain at 7.5cm and elected not to fly - partly because I couldn’t get insurance but it took me a fair bit of time to realise how dangerous it could have been at this size. At <5cm I’d have been flying all day long but I think it’s a personal decision that only you can make. But listening to different perspectives can help and give you confidence

[Lovenorthern in reply to DilatedAortaRunner]

Thanks for your reply, I think I have made my mind up to go after reading all of the replies on here. I have been wavering for a couple of weeks but I need to submit passport details to the holiday company this week, so here goes. Going to make the most of it while I’m there!

[Cliff_G]

Hi,

My view, as one who has been through this big time, is go on holiday, but make the right preparations.

I had exactly this issue before a trip to New Zealand (total 26 hours of flying!). My ascending aorta was 46 mm and I was under monitoring. My cardiologist had not given me any advice against flying - or anything, in fact, such as playing rugby (not that I did).

The problem arose when I declared my enlarged aorta on my travel insurance (and you definitely need to do this). They initially refused me insurance, but on talking to their risk experts (not the front line sales people whose protocol did not cover anything other than refusal) they said as I was being monitored they were happy to insure me.

Darn good job, since 10 days into my holiday I dissected, fortunately near a top hospital with world class aortic surgeons, and my insurers covered the costs.

So the advice I would give is:

1. You have time to get things straight

2. Get a statement from your doctors in whatever way you can that you do not need to take special precautions over flying. If you can't see a cardiologist soon, have your GP write to them to get instructions - letters are usually much quicker than waiting for appointments. (Alternatively see them privately?)

3. Ensure your travel insurance is in place and your dilation is declared, and stated as being under monitoring.

4. Realise that the risk you have is mainly that of aortic dissection. This is not comfortable (!) but there are many of us still around as proof that AD is entirely treatable. The key thing is immediate accurate diagnosis and treatment. To this end you need to give a clear picture of your risk, so...

5. Wear a Med Alert bracelet with your aorta on the details. (I didn't do this, and as I thought I was having a heart attack, I actually forgot about my enlarged aorta until after 40 hours they took me to CT and I then remembered my previous CT!). Wear it all the time.

6. In the unlikely event that anything were to happen, make sure you tell them about your aorta.

7. Enjoy your holiday.

Very best wishes.

(By the way, best to avoid the term 'aaa' is it is too easily confused with abdominal aortic aneurysm, AAA, which is an entirely different thing. Probably use the full term Thoracic Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. There are waaay too many acronyms around the aorta!)

[Lovenorthern in reply to Cliff_G]

Thank you for your advice, I just wish there was more info available from the gp. I am not confident with contacting the cardiologist in case he thinks I am going to be a problem.

[Cliff_G in reply to Lovenorthern]

I'm sure the cardiologist won't think that. Having the GP write to them is entirely normal and all in a day's work for them and cardiology. The cardiologist (or maybe their Registrar) will read the GP's letter, dictate a response and the medical secretary will send that back to the GP.

And in any case, we all have the right to have necessary questions (as this is) answered.

[Lovenorthern in reply to Cliff_G]

Yes you are right, I will try the gp again. I am taking apixaban so the likelihood of a clot is minimal, I think I will be given the all clear. Thanks for the advice it’s really appreciated.

[Showgem]

mine measures a fraction over 5cm with mild aortic valve regurgitation. I also have other health issues and found it very difficult to get travel insurance, especially to North America where the cost was too prohibitive. Most insurers would only insure me for single trips so I’ve now decided not to travel abroad.

Don’t be tempted to travel without insurance cover for your condition as your insurance would be void if anything happened and it isn’t worth it.

If the aneurism is your only major health issue and depending on where you will be travelling to, it probably won’t be so expensive and I would think you would get the all clear to fly.

[Lovenorthern in reply to Showgem]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I have looked into travel insurance and there is no problem with that it was just the safety aspect of flying I was worried about. I have decided to take the plunge and go.