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Traveling with heart disease: tips for staying safe

The summer holiday season is just around the corner or has already begun in some areas and the need for holidays is great after the restrictions in recent years. people with cardiovascular diseases However, you should pay attention to a few details when planning your holiday.

Numerous environmental factors can heart health affect, including for example Altitude, heat, climate and air quality. Especially people with heart diseases should therefore find out exactly about the local conditions when they go on vacation. Explains what to look out for dr medical Magnus tree crochet of the German Heart Foundation.

Cardiac patients do not have to give up vacation

Patients with cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease (CHD)cardiac arrhythmias, valve diseases and Heart failure (heart failure) According to the professional society, they usually do not have to do without travel.

One good planning is particularly important for people with heart disease during summer vacations.

Obtain a medical assessment

One of the first steps, according to Dr. Baumhäkel a conversation with the attending doctor to get an initial assessment of whether a trip to the desired destination is generally recommended.

Do a pre-holiday check-up

An examination should also be carried out four to six weeks before the trip, advises Dr. tree crochet. So in good time the stability the patient checked and possibly a change in medication be performed.

“This is the only way to avoid risks due to overloading or misjudgments”, emphasizes the cardiologist. One can use the Heart Foundation free travel checklist for cardiac patients be ordered.

The most important point of reference: resilience

One of the most important clues as to whether a trip is recommendable is the personal one resilience The physical performance should not be severely restricted by the heart disease. Heart surgery should have been several weeks ago.

Consider climatic conditions and time changes

Heat, cold and altitude can take a toll on the heart, just like any other climate zone and a time change. very high temperatures increase that, for example Risk of circulatory collapse or cardiac arrhythmia.

stays in large Altitudes over 2500 meters also ensure that less oxygen gets into the arteries. This can put a lot of strain on the heart muscle and, in the worst case, one Heart attack trigger.

Heart patients should not use places extreme weather conditions choose as a holiday destination. “Tropical and subtropical, arctic and subarctic climates are generally not recommended for heart patients because they put too much strain on the cardiovascular system”like that dr tree crochet.

According to him, it makes more sense to choose a place with climatic conditions that the body is already familiar with. In addition, heart patients should, if possible, rather travel in spring and fallinstead of in the hot summer months.

What influence does the air quality have at the holiday destination?

the air quality affects the cardiovascular system. Air pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides can slow down the course of CHD, cardiac arrhythmias and high blood pressure deteriorate.

“Depending on the type of heart or circulatory disease, air pollution at the travel destination can have an unfavorable effect on the disease within a short period of time, in the worst case it can trigger a complication such as a heart or cerebral infarction or, in the case of heart failure patients, lead to a hospital stay.”warns dr tree crochet.

It is therefore advisable for those affected to find out about the Air quality at the resort to be informed in advance. This is for example free via the World Air Quality Index project website possible.

The strenght is to be found in serenity

Arrived at the holiday destination, there should be heart patients in the first few days take it easy leave so that the body can get used to the local conditions. Long sunbaths and strenuous activities should be avoided in the first few days.

But there is nothing wrong with light to medium loads. Exercise, for example when hiking or cycling, is even desirable in an appropriate form. only the Midday sun should be avoided.

“If you want to swim, you should discuss this with your doctor beforehand”are tree crochet to consider. Getting into very cold water or getting out of the water can be dangerous circulatory problems cause.

Food can affect some heart medications

If the holiday destination offers a completely different diet than usual, this could have an impact on some heart medications. Especially the effect of anticoagulant Marcumarwhich is often taken with artificial heart valves or atrial fibrillation, can be impaired by high-fat food or a high vitamin K content.

Who should give up a trip?

The doctors at the German Heart Foundation advise against traveling for some patients with heart disease. This applies, for example, to people who already have a low load Chest tightness (angina pectoris) or shortness of breath occurs.

Also people in whom it increases in the course of cardiovascular disease dizziness and sudden unconsciousness comes, we advise against a holiday trip. (vb)