Undiagnosed heart issues, holiday insurance

[Misscrisps]

Hi, went to the GP last week as I had a chest pain incident about 3 weeks ago. On an easy walk, I had chest and then back (NOT SEVERE) pain, sweating and dizziness. It passed after I sat down for about 20mins. I just put it down as a weird incident but decided to see GP as I have been getting palpitations and some chest pressure since. Anyway GP did an ECG, all ok, but has referred me to the Coronary Unit. She also gave me a spray for under my tongue.

I go on holiday to Italy in a week. I tried notifying my existing travel insurance but they won't insure me as I don't have a diagnosis and am waiting for my referral.

Has anyone had this situation? Thanks.

Edit.... ended up in A&E last night for another incident of chest and back pain and irregular heartbeat, so we will cancel the holiday.

Thanks everyone.

[Happyrosie]

I cannot imagine any insurer willing to take the risk, as they do not know what they are insuring. If your existing insurer won’t cover you then I expect they will pay for the cancellation of your holiday. Sadly.

I expect you have the European health card, which would cover you for medical expenses at the same price Italians would pay. Take care though as this won’t pay for repatriation.

[Misscrisps in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you for the reply. I really don't want to cancel. I'll keep trying for options right up to the last minute.

[devonian186 in reply to Misscrisps]

Happyrosie has summed it up. No insurer will want to know as they can't determine the degree and nature of your problem nor what the resolution will be. You will be traveling at your own risk, which is stressful in itself.

Whether you go or not is your choice but there are consequences if you should need repatriation. I would cancel and claim from my insurer and reschedule when you know the full situation.

[devonian186 in reply to devonian186]

BTW, I don't mean to be facetious and Italy isn't the same as the UK, but Britain is looking fabulous at the moment as the daffs blossom and trees start to come into leaf.

Have you a favourite place you might want to go to again over here, or explore somewhere new? Depends on whether you are after culture or scenery as to a destination, but you would still be under the NHS if anything untoward should happen.

[Misscrisps in reply to devonian186]

Thanks, we were going to explore Florence which I have wanted to do for years. However, after spending last night in A&E due to chest pain and palpitations, cancellation is going to have to be the option. 😔

[devonian186 in reply to Misscrisps]

Sorry to hear that. Again I don't want to be facetious but as you have reserved the time off anyway, staying somewhere a bit different might help to plug the gap. Portmeirion is the most italianate city in the Uk, Torquay has numerous Italianate buildings. Ventnor is quite exotic and combined with a sea voyage might make you feel as if you have gone overseas. None has quite the culture of Florence of course!

I had a quad bypass in 2022 and took my first flight after this in 2023 to guernsey as it was a very easy trip and I wanted to see how I would cope with a full blown trip. The highlight of 2024 was sitting up in bed in Zermatt watching the sun glow pink as it rose and shone on the Matterhorn

So things will get better but you need to get to the bottom of this current problem so may need to push politely for attention. Has your trip to AndE moved you further along the process?

[Misscrisps in reply to devonian186]

We actually love Portmeirion, so that's a good option. I'm glad you are now happy to travel. Hopefully yes, the doctor said he would also refer me to the Coronary dept as it may weigh more from him (and 2 referrals from 2 different doctors, in one week, may hopefully get them moving) The blood tests showed 'some changes' but no actual heart attack. ECG was also slightly sporadic. He considered putting me on aspirin but as I'm allergic to Naproxen, discounted that for now. It's all very concerning but hopefully I will soon know what I'm dealing with.

Thank you for your advice and for the encouragement.

[Hephzibar]

Not quite the same, but my husband( who already has a diagnosed cardiac issue) was sent for an angiogram and has been referred to cardiology for surgery. He has not had the appt yet, but managed to find travel insurance for a recent trip to France. It was expensive, but on this occasion was prepared to pay.

It may be worthwhile phoning around, but do expect that many will not cover you.

[Burleighblue]

Hi MisscrispsI had a similar set of symptoms, sudden sharp pain and breathlessness doing uphill walks and at the gym, things that I had previously done regularly with no problems. My GP wasn't concerned despite the fact I was travelling long haul in a few weeks. A few weeks later I had a heart attack while abroad. If I could step back into the past I would have made a bigger fuss and not gone on that trip. The hospital failed to diagnose correctly on my first visit so I spent a weekend in my hotel in pain and more damage was done to my heart. Dealing with all that, in a foreign language was an ordeal I wouldn't want anyone to go through. When you're away from it, you can really miss the NHS. I am grateful it didn't happen on the flight, and grateful to be alive with another chance at life. ltaly will still be there when you've found out what's going on in your body.

Good luck, take care of yourself.

[Misscrisps in reply to Burleighblue]

Thank you for that. I agree after last nights trip to A&E that cancellation (hopefully postponement) is the right option now. I'm very glad you came through your horrible ordeal. X

[fishonabike]

Try Insurance With - they specialise in insuring people with ongoing conditions and awaiting appointments etc

Unless you can afford huge hospital fees and costs, uninsured travel in a situation like this is not recommended