How to Fly With Heart Conditions

Patients with heart problems can usually fly without difficulty, as long as their current treatment regimen controls their condition. Longer flights carry greater risk than shorter ones because of the additional stress of the journey and the need to sit for longer periods.

Risks

• People with unmanaged heart conditions, such as abnormal heart rhythms or congestive heart failure (CHF), should not expose themselves to the stresses of a long-distance flight, according to CHF Patients. On longer flights, the extended sitting involved may also promote dangerous blood clots.

Therapeutic Needs

• Patients with heart conditions who must fly should bring their medications with them on the flight. CHF Patients warns that the in-flight drinks may cause frequent bathroom trips for patients using diuretics, while the high sodium levels in airplane snacks may violate the patient's dietary restrictions.

Planning

• Patients with heart ailments should plan any airplane flight carefully, consulting their physician about possible problems, according to CHF Patients. They should also carry their medical records and emergency contact information with them and tell airport personnel about any implantable metal devices, such as pacemakers, that they may have.