Heart Condition Travel Insurance | Medical Travel Insurance Guide

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Tips for travelling with a heart condition

• Planning: Talk to your doctor to see if any testing may be advisable prior to your trip to assure that the heart condition is stable. Address any new symptoms with your doctor before traveling.
• Travel Insurance: Make sure you have comprehensive heart condition travel insurance in case you need any medical treatment while you are way.
• Medication: Make sure you have adequate supplies of prescribed medication, and extra in case you lose any. Make sure all heart medication is clearly labelled.
• Medical history/info: Carry a copy of this with you as well as phone numbers for your doctors/family members. Carry contact numbers and web site addresses for pacemaker and ICD manufacturers and local representatives in the country you are visiting.
• Flying: Thrombosis, or the formation of a blood clot in the veins of the leg, pelvis, or arms is a risk here. Sitting long hours, dehydration, and the lower oxygen levels in a plane cabin can all predispose a person to blood clots. Most data have shown that flights greater than eight hours pose the greatest risks.
• Travelers over 50 years old or those under 50 with one or more risk factors for deep venous thrombosis (such as obesity, large varicose veins, congestive heart failure, pregnancy, recent major surgery, use of hormone replacement therapy, or oral contraceptives) should wear below-the-knee compression stockings (20 Hg-30 Hg) when traveling on a plane for more than eight hours or 3,100 miles.
• Try and confirm aisle seating if you are at risk for deep venous thrombosis this will allow you to enter and exit your seat, walk around, and stretch your legs without disrupting other passengers.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages onboard and remain well hydrated.