Cardiovascular health is one of the biggest concerns of any person when traveling. Therefore, although there are no restrictions that prevent traveling with heart problems, it is advisable to take into account a series of precautions when planning it.
First of all, it is advisable that you take out travel insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, this is a type of policy with emergency medical coverage for assistance or medical expenses in case of suffering a medical emergency during the trip.
Not all insurers providecomplete coverage for travellers with pre-existing diseases, with many limiting cover to just for the first 24 hours of treatment, However at Fit 2 Trip our travel insurance provides full care for travellers with medical conditions so that people traveling with myocarditis or other heart problems can feel secure knowing that in the event of a medical emergency they will have the full medical benefits of the policy.
However, suffering from heart disease is not an impediment to travel to distant places if you take into account a series of precautions. At Fit 2 Trip we bring you this 2023 guide to travelling with cardiovascular diseases in a safe way.
Cardiovascular diseases are all those problems that affect the heart and blood vessels. Within heart problems we find a wide range of diseases that can cause deterioration in the proper functioning of the heart.
These kinds of diseases often present without symptomatic evidence and painlessly. For this reason, they may not be treated by a specialist medical team, leading to more serious health problems.
Therefore, the danger of cardiovascular diseases is that more than one can be suffered at the same time without being aware of it.
There are a series of more frequent cardiovascular diseases that, just as they do not present any symptoms to the person travelling with these heart problems, it is important to know about them in a preventive way.
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, which reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood. This can lead to chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, and shortness of breath.
It is important to be aware that severe myocarditis can weaken the heart, causing blood failure in the rest of the body. It can also cause clots in the heart leading to heart attacks or strokes.
The most common symptoms of myocarditis are:
High blood pressure causes a narrowing of the arterioles (small arteries) that are responsible for regulating blood flow. Therefore, as these get smaller, the heart is forced to work harder to fulfill its function.
In this way, pressure is produced in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of suffering a heart attack.
It occurs as a result of an imbalance between the body’s needs and the reduced ability of the heart to pump blood.
Having high cholesterol is detrimental to health. Therefore, a balanced diet and regular exercise are recommended to reduce its levels and avoid serious cardiovascular problems.
There are no symptoms for traveling with myocarditis or other heart problems, however, if you have suffered a heart attack or have had a stent inserted 15 days before the flight, you should avoid traveling.
Similarly, if you have uncontrolled angina or have had a bypass in the 21 days prior to travel, it is advisable not to travel with such heart problems.
However, if you suffer from any controlled cardiovascular disease, you only have to take into account some preparations prior to the trip and some care to make the trip safely.
Before traveling with myocarditis or any cardiovascular problem you should visit your heart specialist doctor. It is convenient that this consultation occurs weeks before the trip to assess the risks and carry out a complete medical examination.
Likewise, your doctor will be able to measure the compatibility of your medications with the treatments that may be necessary during the trip and there will be time to adapt your diet to the conditions of the trip.
This consultation is the perfect moment to resolve all your doubts about the symptoms, warning signs or manifestations in order to know how to react quickly when traveling with cardiovascular disease.
If you suffer from a chronic illness or have a complex medical history, ask your doctor for a report, preferably in English, to summarise your clinical case and the treatment you should follow.
It is essential that when traveling with heart problems you do not stray from the usual treatment. In addition, the treatment must be adapted to at least the last two weeks, which is why it is not advisable to travel if a new medication has been added days before or there has been a change in the dose.
If you travel by plane, you should bear in mind that oxygen is scarcer than at sea level, so the specialist should inform you about the possible risks in case of severe heart failure.
Travel with loose clothing, avoid phlebitis, try to get up from your seat regularly and stay hydrated during the flight.
Having a cardiovascular disease does not prevent you from traveling, although it does require taking some precautions. It is essential to take out travel insurance for heart problems to cover emergency medical assistance and enjoy the trip safely and comfortably.
At Fit 2 Trip we offer different levels of coverage to customers travelling with cardiovascular diseases, according to the specific needs of each traveler. Policies are available for couples and for individual travelers and groups.