Can You Travel Abroad With High Blood Pressure?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you suffer from high blood pressure it doesn’t mean you can’t travel by plane, it just means you have to be cautious . Make sure to stand up and move around the plane when it is safe to do so. Avoid eating salty snacks and consuming alcohol and sedatives.

Do you have to tell travel insurance about high blood pressure?

Should I declare my high blood pressure? The quick answer to this question is: yes! You should always tell your insurer about your high blood pressure, even if it’s being well-managed through medication . High blood pressure is considered to be a ‘pre-existing medical condition’ by insurers.

Is it OK to fly with high blood pressure?

Is it Safe to Fly with High Blood Pressure? As long as your high blood pressure is controlled, flying with high blood pressure is considered safe . However, you will need to speak to your doctor before making a journey to ensure that you take the right precautions and know what warning signs to look out for.

Can flying cause a stroke?

Air travel increases the risk of developing blood clots in the veins of the legs, which can then enter the bloodstream and block an artery in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolism. In some cases, the opening can allow the blood clot to enter the arteries of the brain, causing a stroke .

Who should not fly on airplanes?

This includes those with cardiac failure, recent myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke, angina (chest pain) at rest, heart rate or rhythm disorders, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, severe anemia, sickle-cell anemia, acute mental disorders, epilepsy, and any serious or contagious diseases.

Can altitude change affect blood pressure?

Altitude exposure is known to cause an increase in adrenergic activity, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in resting conditions .

Is flying hard on your heart?

Sitting long hours, dehydration, and the lower oxygen levels in a plane cabin can all predispose a person to blood clots. Most data have shown that flights greater than eight hours pose the greatest risks . Air travel is also not recommended within less than two weeks following a heart attack without complications.

Is high blood pressure a pre-existing conditions?

Other Types of Pre-existing Conditions

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is an example of one such common pre-existing condition affecting more than 33 million adults under 65.

What is the most common cause of malignant hypertension?

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the main causes of malignant hypertension. Other causes include: Adrenal disorders including Conn’s syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, pheochromocytoma or a renin-secreting tumor. Central nervous system disorders like a brain bleed, stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Do I need to declare high cholesterol on travel insurance?

The short answer is, yes! Although high cholesterol is often seen as a minor condition, it’s important to declare it on your travel insurance policy in case of any linked conditions .

Can you fly with a blood clot in your brain?

Can you Fly on a Plane with a Blood Clot? If you have been diagnosed with a blood clot or only just recently recovered from a blood clot or a condition like deep vein thrombosis, it is not recommended that you fly immediately as this activity could make the condition worse .

How long after a stroke before you can fly?

It is recommended that you wait at least two weeks after a stroke to fly. Symptoms are generally the most intense during the first two weeks following a stroke, and new symptoms may arise, so it is best to avoid flying during this time period (1).

How soon can you fly after a mini-stroke?

Most carriers advise NOT to fly until 10 days after a TIA, or 21 days after a stroke . Some airlines recommend waiting until 3 months after a stroke, if it has left you with some residual symptoms.

Is it OK to fly with heart problems?

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance says that most people with heart failure can travel by plane . However, during the flight, legs and ankles tend to swell and breathing may become more difficult for people with severe heart failure.

What medical conditions stop you from flying?

  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) ...
  • Strokes. ...
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) ...
  • An infectious disease. ...
  • Recent surgeries. ...
  • Alternatives to flying. ...
  • Cruises.
  • Train.

How long after Covid Can I fly?

Do not travel until a full 5 days after your last close contact with the person with COVID-19 . It is best to avoid travel for a full 10 days after your last exposure.

Can high altitude give you high blood pressure?

Research has found that exposure to very high altitudes of 5,400 meters could possibly lead to an increase of 14 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 10 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure within a 24-hour period . As mentioned before, this increased blood pressure can also lead to fatal cardiac arrest if not taken care of.

Who should avoid high altitudes?

Heart patients who are never physically active shouldn’t start being active while at high altitudes. Evidence suggests that heart failure patients should avoid climbing more than 300–500 meters a day when in high-altitude locations, since drastic changes in elevation can worsen symptoms.

Can high blood pressure be lowered?

Regular physical activity — such as 150 minutes a week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week — can lower your blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure. It’s important to be consistent because if you stop exercising, your blood pressure can rise again.

Can I fly with palpitations?

It is extremely rare for significant arrhythmias to occur during air travel, and air travel itself does not cause clinically significant arrhythmias. Patients with arrhythmia can travel by plane safely if they are asymptomatic or clinically stable .

Does flying affect breathing?

Air pressure is lower at higher altitudes, which means your body takes in less oxygen. Airlines “pressurize” the air in the cabin, but not to sea-level pressures, so there’s still less oxygen getting to your body when you fly, which can make you feel drained or even short of breath .

Does flying cause heart attacks?

The prolonged lack of physical movement and dehydration on an airplane may increase your risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or an arterial blood clot in the heart (heart attack) or brain (stroke).

Which pre-existing conditions are not covered?

Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, as well as pregnancy . They cannot limit benefits for that condition either.

Can I get international health insurance with a pre-existing condition?

Some providers will grant coverage for pre-existing conditions after a lesser period . Often, if you have “prior creditable coverage”, meaning another insurance plan in place at the time you apply for your new international plan, coverage for pre-existing conditions may be granted in even less time.

Can you be denied for pre-existing conditions?

Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.