Heart disease & Air travel

Cardiovascular disease

• The most common cause of Australians dying overseas is coronary heart disease.
• Most patients with stable cardiovascular disease can travel safely.
• Assessment of exercise tolerance is helpful. If the person is asymptomatic during normal activity and can walk 50 metres or climb 15 stairs without symptoms then they should be able to cope with cabin air pressure without difficulty.
• People with severe angina or congestive cardiac failure who are symptomatic on minimal exertion need oxygen supplementation (usually 2 L or 4 L per minute either intermittently or continuously). Referral to a cardiologist for advice and contacting the airline before travel should be considered.
• As well as a letter summarising their medical problems and medications, people with cardiac disease should also take a copy of a recent electrocardiograph.
• Patients with pacemakers should be advised to inform airport staff of its presence as electronic security screening may interfere with programming of the device.