For many people, travel is one of life’s great joys. But for those who have been diagnosed with heart disease, planning may not be as simple as making reservations.
“The good news is there’s usually no reason to ditch your travel plans,” says Dr. Abdallah Malkawi, a Cardiologist with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care. “It simply means you’ll need to plan around a few important considerations.”
Preparation and Planning
If you have heart disease, discuss your travel plans with your health care provider.
You can work with your health care team to ensure your prescriptions are up to date and filled. They can also discuss any added precautions you may need to take, depending on where you’re going and what your heart condition may be.
Follow these guidelines for safe travel.
1. Have your prescriptions and information
Prior to leaving, your health care team can ensure you have an adequate supply of your prescriptions to cover your trip, plus any delays. They also can provide any necessary doctor’s notes for particular medications such as controlled substances or injectables. Bring along copies of your prescriptions in case you need a refill, and give a copy to a friend or relative at home.
Leave your medications in their original containers with the prescription information on the bottle to avoid issues with airport security.
“Remember not to pack your prescription medication in your suitcase. Rather, put them in a carry-on where you can access them,” Dr. Malkawi says. “In the event of missing luggage, it may be hard to refill medications, depending on your destination.”
2. Be mindful of long distances
Check with your physician or advanced practice provider about whether it’s safe for you to fly or travel long distances.
“The ‘getting there’ part of travel can be particularly hard for people with heart disease,” Dr. Malkawi says. “Long periods of sitting on a plane or in a car can increase anyone’s risk of developing blood clots in the legs. For someone who has a history of heart failure or peripheral artery disease, the risk is greater.”
The American Heart Association says those who have had recent surgery, are of advanced age, or who have catheters in a large vein also have an increased risk of developing blood clots while traveling.
Your health care team may offer additional recommendations, such as wearing compression stockings or bringing supplemental oxygen. And skip the alcohol, which can raise your heart rate, particularly in the lower-oxygen environment of an aircraft. Alcohol also can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure.
“If traveling by plane, reduce your risk of clots by getting up and walking around whenever it’s possible and safe,” Dr. Malkawi says. “If you can’t, then flex your feet and circle your ankles to help improve circulation.”
If you’re on a long car ride, stop frequently for brief breaks. Getting there safely is more important than getting there quickly, Dr. Malkawi stresses.
3. Prepare for emergencies
If you have heart disease, do some research to identify medical facilities that will be available at your destination. Check with your health care plan provider to know what costs will be covered if you do have an emergency while you’re away.
While Medicare Advantage Plans will cover your emergency and urgent care needs within the United States, other health coverage may not, or it may have high out-of-network deductibles.
Consider supplemental travel insurance, particularly if you’re traveling overseas. Most comprehensive travel insurance — which is usually available for under $200 — will cover your medical expenses as well as any needed emergency transport back to the United States.
Some health care providers recommend carrying a copy of key medical records when you travel, which may assist doctors who aren’t familiar with you or your health history. It’s also a good idea to keep the phone numbers of your health care team with you written down on paper.
“Even though most of us have all the information we need at our fingertips, you might forget your phone charger or be traveling in an area where you can’t get a signal to look up the numbers you need,” Dr. Malkawi says. “Having those with you can help a local health care team get the information they need to best assist you.”
4. Plan for high altitudes
Higher altitudescan stress the cardiovascular system, placing you at increased risk for cardiac events on your vacation.
“Your heart works harder at high altitudes because there’s less oxygen,” Dr. Malkawi says. “If you already have blockages or conditions like angina, those lower oxygen levels may exacerbate your cardiovascular issues.”
People with cardiomyopathy or heart failure, particularly, should consult with their doctor about how to balance fluid and salt intake at higher altitudes.
Higher altitudes also may impact the effectiveness or side effects of certain medications, including beta blockers.
“You can take steps to reduce your risk,” Dr. Malkawi says. “Try acclimating gradually. Resting for a while at lower elevations and gradually moving up to higher elevations can help your body adjust to the reduced oxygen levels.”
5. Stay cool
Take heed if you’re traveling to a warm destination. Extreme heat increases health risks for everyone — but particularly those with chronic conditions.
“Heat exhaustion and heatstroke make your heart work harder, and that increases your risk of heart attack and developing other cardiovascular issues,” Dr. Malkawi says.
Have a plan for managing the heat, such as taking breaks in air-conditioned areas. Talk with your provider about your water and sodium intake and other factors key to your particular heart condition before you go.
Here for Your Heart Needs
“If you have concerns about traveling with heart disease, don’t hesitate to reach out to your cardiovascular care team,” Dr. Malkawi says.
