Holiday and travel top tips
Going on holiday? If you have a heart
condition you may be concerned about getting travel
insurance or anxious about flying.
Podcast - Holidays,
Travel Insurance and Heart Conditions
Tips on getting insurance and staying healthy on
holiday
Here we answer some of your holiday concerns...
Can I get travel insurance if I have a heart condition?
Yes, you can, but you have to
shop around. We advise that you consult with your GP
before buying health insurance over the phone or via the
internet.
You may find that the type and cost of the cover offered will
vary depending on your individual condition and where you will be
traveling to.
To get insurance you will need to make a full health
declaration. This means providing detailed information of
conditions and medications going back years. These details
will all be checked if you later try to make a claim. Any
omissions or mistakes you make can be used as grounds to refuse
your claim.
We don't endorse any particular insurance companies, but we
have compiled a list from feedback we've received from heart
patients.
We want to hear about your
experiences of getting travel insurance. Post your
comment on our Official BHF
Blog
Is it safe to fly?
If your heart condition is stable,
well controlled and you feel
well, generally there should be reason why you can't
fly. For most air passengers who have a heart condition the
likelihood of developing a heart problem while travelling by air is
low.
However, if you've recently had a heart attack or
heart surgery or have recently been in hospital with any other
heart condition you should check with your
doctor before travelling by air.
Are there any destinations I should avoid?
If you have a heart condition it is best not to travel to
countries which are very hot or very
cold, or to places at a high altitude.
Avoid booking into accommodation that is on a steep
hill or slope, unless you are confident that you are
fit enough for that level of activity. Find
out what local transport is available and how close the hotel is to
local facilities.
Do you have any advice on healthy eating
on holiday?
See our Eating healthily on
holiday for ideas on what to eat at some of the
more popular holiday destinations.
Listen to our podcast
Holidays, Travel Insurance and Heart
Conditions
Tips on getting travel insurance, flying and
staying healthy on holiday if you have a heart
condition
There are two ways you can get the
podcast...
1. From
iTunes
Subscribe to the
British Heart Foundation feed on
the iTunes online store.
Go to our iTunes feed now
2. Download the podcast direct
from this site
Right-click
on the podcast link, select 'Save Target As' and save to your
computer.
