Travel and Cardiovascular Disease: How to Prepare

Stress, physical effort, fatigue, heat, altitude: these are all factors that are sometimes part of a holiday, and that can have a harmful effect on travellers with cardiovascular disease. For these people, good preparation is essential. Below, we cover a few basic questions to help you prepare properly.

Am I fit to travel?

Suffering from heart problems or cardiovascular disease doesn't necessarily mean travel is out of the question. However, for people affected by this type of condition, it's important to have a full health check-up and a cardiological assessment before departure. These precautions are especially advisable for a flight, a trip at altitude, an active/sporty trip or a stay in a hot country, or if you've had heart surgery recently (in the last six months).

A visit to your cardiologist is therefore an essential first step before deciding to travel. They will carry out an echocardiogram and an electrocardiogram, assess your tolerance to exertion, and determine how stable your condition is in order to make their diagnosis. They can also give you good advice. Pacemaker wearers can also have their device checked.
If you have diabetes as well as heart problems, it is also essential to consult your cardiologist beforehand.

How do I choose my destination?

If you have a heart condition, you need to choose your destination, your means of transport and your type of stay carefully.

Climate and geography: a climate that is too cold can raise the risk of angina or high blood pressure, a climate that is too hot increases the risk of dehydration and fatigue, and travelling at altitude is generally not advised because of reduced oxygen levels (increased heart rate and breathing problems) and terrain (physical effort, fatigue). In recent years, heatwaves have become more intense during summer in certain regions. It's wise to take this into account when choosing a destination.

Means of transport: train, car, or plane? Here too, it all depends on your state of health before departure. A long car or plane journey is generally not advised. The medical concerns linked to modes of transport usually relate to the risk of thrombosis, the discomfort of heat (dehydration), stress and fatigue.

Type of trip: it's advisable to travel with company or in a group so that you can quickly get help from those around you (e.g. cardiac massage) if a problem arises. An organised stay seems to be the most suitable type of trip. Naturally, whatever trip you choose should expose you to as little stress or fatigue as possible (plan physical activities suited to your state of health).

• Be ready to adjust your programme and schedule if your health requires it. Pace yourself and plan rest periods.
• Bring enough of your medication, in its original packaging and split between different pieces of luggage, and take airport regulations into account. See the article "Travelling with medication" on this subject.
• Bring your prescriptions, a medical certificate describing your condition and treatment (if you're travelling to a non-French-speaking country, try to have the certificate written in English), and, where relevant, your medical file (check this with your cardiologist).
• Think ahead about recommended and mandatory vaccinations and check with your doctor that they aren't incompatible with your treatment.
• Carry with you the numbers to call in an emergency (contact people, doctors, emergency services, your assistance provider) and your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Am I properly insured?

• Good travel insurance covering medical expenses, medical repatriation and cover for travelling companions is strongly recommended. Be careful, however, as travel assistance contracts may sometimes refuse to step in if the condition that occurred abroad was already known before departure, if the risk of a medical problem occurring was real, if the traveller had received negative medical advice about their trip, or if the medical problem is due to a relapse or sudden worsening of a known, pre-existing condition. It is therefore important to get a positive opinion from your cardiologist before departure, and to only plan the trip if your health is stable (a condition stable enough to allow travel). Read the article "Travel and pre-existing conditions" on this subject.
• Taking out a trip cancellation policy can also be worthwhile. It means you won't lose the money you invested in your trip if you're unable to travel due to last-minute medical complications.