Tips for Traveling when You Have Congenital Heart Disease
Travel is generally part of life. However, traveling can be stressful when you have a health condition like congenital heart disease. Nevertheless, it’s still possible to travel when you have this condition. You just need to plan and prepare accordingly. Here are tips for traveling when you have congenital heart disease.
Discuss Your Condition
Before you travel, share your plans with the ACHD care team in advance. This will enable your care team to ensure that outstanding health issues like warfarin therapy, anti-arrhythmic therapy establishment, and pacer checks are properly addressed before the trip.
Talk to Your Cardiologist
It’s important that you get a letter from the cardiologist explaining your CHD. This is the letter that you should carry and to get the recent EKG. You should also carry ACHA Personal Health Passport. Additionally, travel with extra prescriptions just to be case in the event you lose medication at your travel destination.
Have ACHA Travel Directory
This directory is very important because it will help you in the event you need help of an ACHD cardiologist.
Buy Travel Insurance
Check the available travel insurance and purchase a cover that lets you cancel the trip due to the need for medical care or reason like a pre-existing condition. Additionally, get a plan that provides protection against lost baggage, trip interruption, medical evacuation, or flight to a hospital.
Destination and Climate
It’s important to consider your destination and climate. Secondary issues like pulmonary arterial hypertension can affect the levels of your blood oxygen if you travel to high attitudes or fly.
Plan in Advance
Take time to prepare for the trip. Basically, ensure that you are not emotionally or physically exhausted before traveling. Additionally, pack what you will need during the trip including healthy snacks.
In addition to these tips, consider getting a travel partner. Let them know about your condition and what to do in case you need urgent assistance.
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