irregular heart beat

[deniseann56]

I am shocked and upset that I have just been put on blood thinners (axiban) for irregular heartbeat after 48 hour ecg monitor.

GP said stay on these until I see cardiologist but to be honest, I am scared as I have holidays booked.

One in may flying to Greece for 9 days and september a 7 day first cruise, which I have to pay the balance of £1200 balance on by May

I am widowed so will be solo but tbh I am scared stiff of going on holidays now but I dont want to lose money either.

I cant add it to travel insurance yet until I get a proper diagnosis

I am afraid, firstly of bleeding and also something happening in my room while it is locked at night.

Should I be ver concerned ?

[beyondbadger]

It's worth seeing if you can chat to an insurance broker, they might be able to help you with insurance. I have a friend with a very serious heart condition who managed to get insurance for a number of weeks across the world.

I called the British Heart Foundation helpline and the cardiac nurse was really helpful, they might be able to give you a bit of peace about your fears of being alone at night.

[Vegart]

Hello, deniseann. Yes, ìt must be a shock to find out that you have an irregular heartbeat, and to be having to wait to be seen by a cardiologist. When you have been to the cardiologist, you will know more whether things needs to be done medically, and whether there would be risks of becoming ill when going on holiday. A pharmacist could reassure you whether you have any increased risks of bleeding because of taking a " blood thinner". You could havecon you a stock of sticking plasters, in case you accidentally cut yourself. However, you need to be on a blood thinner, as otherwise your having an irregular heartbeat has the risk of unwanted bloodclots. The BHF Nurses would be able to advise you. When you fly, being on a blood thinner would reduce the risk of getting blood clots in your legs. It would be good to look through your insurance policy to learn how soon you would need to cancel if the cardiologist advised you to. Hopefully, the cardiologist appointment will come before May. The cardiologist might decide that nothing more needs to be done. Your 2 holidays seem important for you, but you would be able to enjoy them more when any health problems have been sorted. If your cruise goes out to sea, then the ship would likely have a doctor employed on board. I hope that you will be able to go away on such holidays in the not too distant future.

[Vegart in reply to Vegart]

Hello, again, Denis Ann. For your information, I have included a link to the NHS Website about the Apixaban medicine that you have been prescribed. It might reassure you that the risks of bleeding are not so great. nhs.uk/medicines/apixaban/s.... It also tells you what to do should you get any bleeding.