We were supposed to be hoing on a luxury cruise a week on Monday but a couple of weeks ago i was admitted to hospital with high BP so went to the GP to make sure i am ok to go and she told me i am at risk of heart attack or stroke and because i've seen her i have probably invalidated my holiday insurance. What would you do??
Regards Pippajo
Good lord, I am so sorry. That is a tough one! I suffer health anxiety and for me, the choice would be to follow doctors order as I would be so stressed out about what might happen. However, we are all different. My husband would understand that I need to look after myself first and cancel the trip but it is more a decision you need to figure out between you and your doctor and also whomever is supposed to go with you. I just gave you my answer based on who I am.
Btw, I don't think you have invalidated your trip insurance since the event happened after your purchase your trip. Call them and they will ask you to get a certificate fork the doctor to confirm the date you were diagnosed.
How do you feel physically? Do you take medication for blood pressure? I hope you feel better very soon.
Take care
If it were me I'd go, you have the risk whether you go or not. If you feel at all unwell there are medics aboard the ship and you always dock somewhere there is hospital treatment if that's what you need.
You can rest up and take things as slowly as you like and don't have to do everything onboard, go have an amazing time and relax xx
Thanks fir your kind words they have not given any medication they want to do tests first but that is not until November but the highBP could be causing damage if left high. So think i may go and get a private opinion but its all money
This is the 3rd holiday the last one I dislocated my shoulder for the 5th time both my husband and i are desparate for a break
Hi pippajo19
I really am so genuinely sorry to read this and personally I would still go. As Scottish-piglet says you are at risk whether you go or not? I would check with your insurers and see what they say first? Then, if you did need new insurance I would look online at one of the comparison sites to see what kind of deal you can get?
I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
Going without holiday insurance is not a good idea as if something happened and you needed hospital treatment or to fly home it could be very expensive indeed.
Check with your insurers and get a new policy that takes account of the high blood pressure. You do need to declare everything not just what was happening when you took out the policy. With luck it will be OK and you will be able to have your holiday after all
Good luck
Dee
My father has high bp and i alway use Staysure for him as they accept it and cover him. Excellent customer service too.
I hate to say this but if I was told by my gp I could have a heart attack or a stroke I would not go My life is more important than a holiday.Just my opinion. Sorry your in this situation. Peck.🐤
I can see both sides of this pippajo19 , but if it is life-threatening, why are they allowing you to wait until November for more help? I think sitting at home worrying might be more harmful to my health than taking a relaxing trip.
I think I'd look at this as a very serious "health-improvement" vacation. I'd stay very calm every step of the way, and I would focus on eating properly to lower my bp, making only healthy choices at every meal. Many foods are thought to lower blood pressure (google that and you'll find lots of helpful articles). And then I would search out every activity that could help relax me and lower my bp. Think gentle aerobic exercise in a pool, yoga, tai chi, meditation, deep breathing exercises. I'd get massages and a facial, and I would hope to come home feeling completely refreshed and with lower bp.
Take care, and please let us know what you decide to do!
Interestingly on a recent tv documentary they discovered hand grips for exercise helped to lower BP, anything that helps perhaps.
Firstly I am sorry that this has happened to you, if your blood pressure is so high why does your GP not give u blood pressure tablets ? Millions of people take them, they can't just leave you till November with such high bp. If you feel well then I would go on your trip cos it may well bring your bp down , some rest, relaxation and fun. These cruise ships have fabulous onboard medics, the chances are you will be fine. As for insurance you should just ring them and be honest, the thing is when you purchased the policy you were unaware of your high bp so you haven't invalidated anything. Can you go and see another GP before you go and maybe ask for some bp tablets to see you through until u go back to Hosp. I hope you get to go on your cruise and remember the hospital would not be making you wait till November if they thought you were dangerously high. Big hugs
I would go back and see the doctor again if you are that bad why are they waiting so long to give u treatment and surely the cruise would do you good better than stressful situation of being disappointed
If it has invalidated your travel insurance it would not be safe for you to travel.I always look at the worst scenario which could be having your body returned.Sorry that sounds so grim but nothing would be covered.
I would return to my doctor and get more clarification of your BP and ask for medication. As others have said if it is life threatening you should be on treatment now.
If you have to cancel your need a medical certificate saying that
I have just had to cancel mine and know how upsetting it is.Hope my insurance pays out
Hi pippajo19 , so sorry to hear you are unwell, however I must say I think that you should go on holiday as it will be what you probably need, also I agree with some of the replies, that they have medics on board, it's a relaxing cruise, it's only for a week and don't think you would have invalidated your insurance as the Dr hasn't given you any tablets as yet for this. When you get back all nice and relaxed make another appointment for GP and go over your options of what to take and things you could change in your lifestyle that may bring it down a bit naturally as November is a long time to wait. If you decide to go I hope you have a fantabulous and relaxing holiday, take care
Kelly x
Whatever opinions you get here are going to be mixed so really the best person to discuss this with is your GP who knows your medical history. Then make a carefully considered decision.
In the meantime I hope your blood pressure is being monitored. You can do this by buying your own machine (not expensive) or a pharmacist.
Personally I'd go. Perhaps a luxury cruise will lower your blood pressure by helping you relax!
Hope it works out and if you decide to go have a wonderful time.
Annette xx
You didnt know about it when you purchased it so its legal, take ur EU Card and insurance and keep it to yourself. You did not lie on the form and you can only make a statement for the there and then, it does not say on the form 'if anything crops up let us know' but it might say ' are you waiting for trst results' as I understand it you wasn't! 'If' you were unlucky enough to have a heart attack you would get your treatment and by the time the insurance quibbled over it you would have had the treatment and be well on your way to recovery God willing. I would go and keep stum! Be fair thats only the drs opinion, you may never have a heart attack, presumably he gave u medication for hb pressure? He might also tell people theyre at risk of cancer if they smoke, it doesn't mean they will get it does it? Plus those people dont have to declare what their GP's think 'might' happen either. Enjoy your cruise x
Since you have spoken to your doctor ,who advised you not to go, that invalidates your insurance. If anything at all happens you will be liable for full costs. A ship does not have a fully up to date, working theatre that a hospital has so you would not be as safe on board. But, you are still insured to cancel and claim back costs of holiday as it was an unexpected illness. If you go on the holiday you will need to take out a new insurance policy including everything that has occurred since booking holiday. Insurance companies will use any excuse to not pay out, so be prepared. All the best, whatever you decide
Well in that case all she needs to inform the insurance of is her high blood pressure then because a heart attack hasn't occurred has it? It is a ridiculous thing to say that she will have to mention her GP's warning of course she os at risk of a heart attack if she doesn't get her high blood pressure under control, but it cant be that bad can it, he hasn't even given her any meds ! I might get diabetes if I eat too much sugar or cancer if I take up smoking, the list is endless, years ago when I was young my GP said if I didn't stop shouting at my husband ( we were newly weds lol) I might get throat cancer ! I didn't and I didn't, so do I have to declare what a male chauvinist GP had a misguided opinion of? Of course not. The policy will state that at 'the time of her declaration' to the best of her knowledge was her declarations re her health true, they were and so she is covered, end of .
Also she hasn't said her Dr advised her not to go, I think this poor lady needs to go back and say to her GP is this heart attack imminent and if it is dont you think you ought to be doing something about it?
Just to add of course its up to you if you ring the insurance company or not, personally I would not, ur policy as it stands is perfectly binding ( read the small print though) but all the insurance companies want an excuse to hike the premium or cancel all together. Its crazy why tell them that your GP said you 'might' have heart attack? Its like me I have low blood pressure the GP said I 'might' faint or fall over, so should I declare that 'might' its just plain silly to my mind. Take your time, chillax, if ur over weight eat sensibly and decrease it, then the 'might' might never happen. If they haven't asked for it, don't volunteer it, is my motto!
Go enjoy x
Hi there, the thing I don't understand is if your BP is so high why did your doctor not give you BP medication or prescription for some there and then.
Sometime back after having a routine BP check at my doctors that showed up very high. The doctor told me unless I allowed her to give me Prescription she could not allow me to leave her office untreated and I would have to got to the hospital.
I would have thought it could mean serious trouble for your doctor if anything happened to you. And she/he had not tried get your BP lowered knowing how high it was and you was allowed to leave the surgery unattended.
I would go right back and ask about Bp medication. This can help bring the BP within 24/48 hours.
Many people these days go around the world with BP problems providing their taking medication to help keep it under control.
Would I go without these measures in place sorry no I wouldn, t. Good luck with what ever you decide but please ask your doctor why you have not been given medication.xx
Mo
Hi Pippajo
Sorry you are having these problems and face a difficult choice.
I've never been in this situation so I'm not speaking from experience. But in my opinioin, on the face of it I would say holidays can do us the world of good and I would try and go if you possibly can.
However, I would first of all consider if you yourself feel up to travelling, and be honest with yourself. Then I would speak to your GP about whether they think it is wise to travel. Then check the small print of your insurance policy which may make the options clear. If not consider ringing your insurers for their opinion. They may just say you can travel but you may have to pay a little more and upgrade your policy.
But do bare in mind that if something does go wrong then without valid insurance it can get very very expensive. And insurance policies can differ quite a lot in their terms and conditions so you do need to look carefully at that. I've found this link online which may be of some help (hopefully). Check particularly the section headed "Undiagnosed symptoms". financial-ombudsman.org.uk/...
I hope you do get to go as it will do you the power of good and it is tempting to risk it. But if it was me, personally I'd rather be safe than sorry. But then that is just my opinion. If you do go I hope you enjoy it and everything is fine.
Gentle hugs, Margaret. 
xxx
Remember doc always give all worse case scenario and that kind of news is likely to raise your bp.A lively holiday lots of relaxation well 2ND opinion wouldn't go wrong and as for insurance read the small print first as they will happily increase your insurance at silly price.Holiday is surely better for health than disappointment and worry of waiting till November.Get advice before giving out details .Good luck
😭It's a bit risky for your health and u may get fined if they find out Wat ft says Wat a shame life is crap isn't it 😒 Xx
Just an after thought. Check with your doctor if he would ok magnesium glycinate as a supplement. Magnesium is very well known to lower blood pressure with no side effects. I use magnesium every day and have a very healthy blood pressure despite my low thyroid.
Hello pippajo19,,,, inform your insurers of the medical condition,,,,they may make a refund,,,,and I would not have thought you had violated the insurance,,,as you need the doctors report to claim the refund from the booking.. Good luck getting sorted out,,,ttfn from Karen.
Hi pippajo19 I used to work in the travel industry selling holidays and insurance was an extra product that we sold. We were advised to ask if anyone taking out the insurance had any pre-existing medical conditions and to declare them to the insurance company. High blood pressure was very common. As others have said, I am surprised that the doctor has not presribed any medication, or even lifestyle advice. Surely if it was severe they would not be making you wait until November to find out what's wrong?
The way I see it, you have 3 options.
1. Cancel the holiday - peace of mind for you but devastating to miss out on another holiday that you have been looking forward to. If your doctor actually said do not travel you could claim cancellation for medical reasons but from what I gather he hasn't actually said no travel.
2. Go on the holiday and leave the insurance as it is - no extra payment required but risky. If you don't need to make a claim on your return for any medical treatment then fair enough, but if you do then the insurance company will say the policy is invalid for not advising them of any changes and won't pay out.
3. Come clean to the insurance company and let them know the situation, they may charge you extra to cover fully. In some cases, they have issued policies that will exclude the condition, but cover everything else so the policy is still valid for theft, delays etc.
I also think your decision depends how far you are going - short haul/Europe is much easier to get you home in an emergency (but hopefully that doesn't happen) I sold insurance on a what if basis, in that I mean it is for what if something goes wrong, and very few holidays required claims. Cruise ships do have medical services on board so already you are on a bonus with that. There is a story about a lady who lives on board a cruise ship because it's better food, medical care and cheaper than in a nursing home!
Sorry if I've rambled on a bit, hope it's helped.
Krissy x
Hi KrissyB,
Thankyou for the infomation and your kind thoughts.
Tomorrow i will ring the insurance but i think we will lose our money. The insurance we have is an annual policy. Went to the hospital on the 1st Sept but did not book the cruise until the 7th but i wasn't told i could not travel
Fingers crossed i will speak to someone understanding
Bye for now
Pippajo
Hi Pippajoe, we all live our lives on, what if's, what if this or that, I recentley had an op cancelled during the anasethic because my b/p dropped dramatically,ended up in HDU I suffer from very high blood pressure,never had low in my life, they had to let me go home after 24 hrs because there was nothing wrong,no one knows. I have acctually got a tiny heart problem had it all my life,and if I listened to half I've been told I would never go outside the door,blessings to you and yours. I'd buy the tickets off you but I'm already going away,in two weeks, Hi de hi.
Sometimes hoping for the best just isn't enough
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DIDDLE FEELS LIKE SHE IS LETTING YOU ALL DOWN :( :( (SORRY)
I have quit all meds now for almost 40 days!
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