Vacations, Flying And My Heart

I’m busy pondering if I am going to do some travelling for a vacation this year, and it occurred to me that a few notes on travel after heart surgery and with a heart condition might be useful since summer vacations will soon be upon us.

First, your doctor won’t be happy if you try to travel too soon after surgery!  For long distance flight in particular, they like you to be at least 6 months post surgery.  For flight insurance or health insurance you may find also that there is a time limit they impose for coverage when travelling.

Some airlines will require that you have a doctor’s permission to fly.

The number one item I now carry in my wallet is an Identification card that includes

Name

Address

Condition … such as CABG

and a list of meds

Include any supplemental conditions that might impact any treatment … for example, I have Restless Leg syndrome which means if they try to keep me flat in bed, I will flail around from time to time when asleep - I don’t want that mistaken for a seizure or being combative!

Family Physician and Phone Number

Cardiologist & Hospital you were treated at and phone number

And an Emergency contact

Keep it in a prominent place in your wallet, not somewhere half hidden.

In addition, consider a medic alert bracelet, or pendant and put the same info on file with the medic alert people.

Make sure that you have enough medication for your trip plus any potential delays … If you’re away for a month, make sure you have enough for an extra 2 weeks or so.  Make sure you have photocopies of the prescriptions handed to you by your doctor.  If you are taking opioid or other restricted pain killers (hydrocodone, oxycodone, vicodin, percocet, Tylenol 3 etc) check with the country you’re going to if you are allowed to bring them in, and under any conditions, and don’t forget to check your own country’s customs for your return.

Keep a list of your meds and how you’re taking them separately in your luggage.  Put your meds in your hand baggage.

If you’re going somewhere mountainous, peaks may not be too healthy for you.  The oxygen gets a little thin about 10 thousand feet (3 thousand metres) and it may impact your condition.

Consider the safety of going to places that you may be distant from medical help if needed.  Being in the middle of Africa or in the Brazilian rain forest is a little risky if you’re going to need a hospital!

I flew about 9 months after surgery.  As we ascended above 12 thousand feet (4 thousand metres) the change in pressure on my chest was definitely unusual feeling.  Coming back down again as we descended through that level again felt odd.  The reason for that height is that it’s where the cabin pressure stabilizes on ascent, and starts increasing to atmospheric pressure on descent.  It’s not unpleasant, but strange feeling.  I recognized it for what it was because I’ve had such strange sensations which some one described as your chest feeling “loose inside”.  Very appropriate.

As people will tell you … don’t do anything too strenuous, but don’t be afraid of doing things.

Get plenty of exercise for your legs … sittling still is a source of DVT … and then you don’t want any clots being thrown into your heart!  Walk around the plane whenever you reasonably can.

Hope these thioughts help.  Have a great summer vacation!