Travelling with a heart condition: Helpful advice for your holiday.

Travelling with a heart condition might seem overwhelming, but with the right planning, you can enjoy your holiday with ease. From managing your medication and packing essentials to choosing the right travel insurance, a bit of preparation goes a long way. We've put together a helpful guide to ensure your trip is as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on making memories.

Preparing for your trip

Consult your doctor before travelling

Before you travel, book an appointment with your GP. They can offer expert medical advice on preparing for your trip and managing your condition while you're away. Your GP can also provide a medical note detailing your condition, along with the names and doses of your medications, should need replacements during your trip. It's also a good idea to take a copy of your electrocardiogram (ECG) in case a specialist needs to review it while you're abroad.

Do your own research

There's an abundance of information online around travelling with a heart condition. Some great examples include the NHS and British Heart Foundation.

Carry emergency contact information

As well as carrying emergency contact numbers for your GP and family, it's worth noting down in advance any medical numbers relating to the country you're visiting.

Pack enough medication for your entire trip

Make sure you have enough medication for your trip, with a little extra. This will eliminate being short on medication in the event of delay or cancellations. As well as bringing a list of your medications provided by your doctor, it might be worth researching the local names of the medications and information on where to secure a prescription, should you need more medication.

Be mindful of dietary requirements

Although often difficult while in a foreign country, if you are on a specific diet for your heart condition at home, try to follow your diet as closely as possible while away. Certain foods can exacerbate symptoms, and depending on where you're travelling too, salt levels in food can be extremely high in some instances.

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Can I fly with a heart condition?

Good news! Most people with heart and circulatory conditions can fly without any issues. But before you pack your bags, check in with your GP or heart specialist to confirm you're fit to fly – especially if you've recently had a heart attack, surgery, or hospital stay related to your condition.

Once you've got the all-clear, let the airport or airline know if you'll need extra assistance. This could be help with your bags, or arranging early boarding to make things easier.

If you're crossing time zones, keeping on top of your medication schedule might feel tricky. Take your medication as usual on your travel day, then adjust to your new time zone by taking it every 12 hours (or as advised). If you're unsure, your GP or practice nurse can help you plan.

If you need to use your glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray mid-flight, don't worry – it's perfectly safe to do so.

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Travel insurance for heart conditions

Do I need to declare my heart condition?

Yes, it's essential to declare your heart condition when arranging your travel insurance. Being upfront and honest ensures you're adequately covered for medical-related issues that may arise during your trip. This include both past and present heart conditions.

Failure to declare your medical conditions could invalidate any claims you need to make. Rest assured, your personal information will be treated with the utmost trust and confidentiality. For more information, check out our medical conditions travel insurance page.

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This guide provides helpful tips and general advice, but for guidance tailored to your health and travel plans, consult your doctor, inform your airline, and prepare in advance for any potential challenges.