Is it safe to fly with SVT?

[maria40]

I am a nervous flyer and worry that the pressure changes in the cabin together with my nervousness may trigger an attack.

[Hidden]

Definitely no problem with flying although like you I was anxious at first. The cabins are air pressured and you just need to adjust the air flow above you if you feel claustrophobic, plenty of relaxation exercises and deep breathing should stop the panic, you can do this most of the time before the flight during the flight and on landing (which was my main concern even without SVT)

I have traveled twice now and each time no problem. A good book is also a help

Happy flying.

[maria40 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this advice. After inconclusive consultation with my GP I've decided to take an alternative route but next time will take advice on board - literally! - and try to fly.

[Summerof69]

Hi, I too am a nervous flyer & I've not had a SVT episode on a flight (I've jinxed it now as I'm flying in July!) Alcohol is one of my triggers so I'd suggest avoiding that :-/. I'm sure a Dr would give advice if you needed it. Hope all goes well.

[maria40 in reply to Summerof69]

Thanks for this. I did try to get advice from a GP but the locum I saw was not much help saying he couldn't really predict my reaction and that it was 'too specific a question' and recommended that I contact the cardiology dept at my local hospital -from which of course no reply - he neither checked my heart rate nor asked about frequency of incidents. After getting no reply from hospital was feeling v insecure and decided - perhaps insanely- to take a two day bus trip to my destination. Had I discovered this forum earlier and had your thoughts perhaps I would have flown. Thanks anyway.

[janmark43]

Don't worry, my GP and cardiologist were both reassuring about flying. I was only diagnosed shortly before flying

to Barbados in February. I have also very recently flown to Venice and on this occasion made use of the trolley from the terminal to the gate - very long walks at Gatwick and I will definitely do this again on future flights.

[maria40]

Thank you for this. I didn't have much luck with my GP who was not reassuring, indicating that it was difficult to predict - but he didn't check my heart rate or ask about frequency of incidents so he didn't give me much faith in him. I tried ringing the Cardiology dept of my local hospital but got no phone back. I have had far more reassurance from you and others who replied to my question but I have decided to take a two day bus trip to Oslo instead. Best advice I got otherwise was from BHF helpline who advised that when I returned I should press for a new cardiologist's appointment and get the SVT sorted out. I hope that next time like you I will be able to fly with confidence

[Maitha]

I was having daily SVTs when I took 16 hours flight to cleveland clinic , and I already have phobia from flights , I had SVT before the flight started maybe because I was anxious and another SVT during the flight from NYC to cleveland , I know it will not kill me so I just calm down with the help of Xanax and here I'm

The problem I'm heading back home after having ablation for SVT which was successful but sure didn't treat the phobia lol

I hope I can find something to cure my phobia from flights

Maitha

[Perplexed6]

In my case, flying (and any other means of transport that relays a vibration to my rib cage) definitely gives me SVT's. My solution is to take a tranquillizer like Valium when I fly and make sure my back is not pressed hard against the seat. Using a cushion between my back and the seat helps.

[maria40]

Your point about the vibration is very interesting. I've noticed that if I sit on a low seat on my local bus, a few minutes into the trip I'll get indications of an SVT episode which I can usually control. If I sit on a higher seat - no vibration - this doesn't happen. I suppose an electrophysiologist could have an explanation .