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Original poster

Family holiday after heart attack

26 replies

restofthetimes · 15/03/2017 08:50

Posting here to see wwmd and if I'm bu to question going.....

I had a small heart attack last week, we have a holiday booked next week to Scandinavia. Been told I can fly, but obviously, I'm not going to ski.

Been discharged now, and I've seen on the British Heart Foundation website to avoid travel to very hot or very cold countries as it can put added strain on heart. This sounds like a ski trip to me.....

Also, HSBC won't insure me, and DH says as healthcare is free for us in EU not to bother finding it elsewhere. We have family there who are medics too.

I really want to go as not sure DH could ski with the kids on his own totally.

I'm 39 by the way, and slim with clear arteries so not a typical heart patient.

OP posts:
JonesyAndTheSalad · 15/03/2017 08:52

Gosh I don't know OP....just how cold is it where you're going right now? I mean there's cold and there's cold isn't there?

I would be tempted to go but saying that I would also be worried that you'd over do it in looking after the kids.

All you can do is sit about drinking hot drinks! How old are your children? If they're bigger and responsible, then it might be ok...what about double checking with your GP?

alltogethernow123 · 15/03/2017 08:52

Oh goodness I hope you're ok.

I probably wouldn't go and I certainly wouldn't go without insurance and just relying on your E1-11 card.

Quelquefois · 15/03/2017 08:56

Never been in your position but my gut says cancel the holiday as its too soon after your HA - would the flight, cabin pressure and temperature at resort put added strain on your fragile heart at the moment?

Also i would say dont forgo adequate and comorehensive travel insurance. What if the absolute worst happened - repatriation of a body costs thousands i imagine.

Look after yourself OP

BarbarianMum · 15/03/2017 08:57

I think you should talk to your doctor about this, not us. If she says Ok, then think carefully through the insurance thing. Do you have an EHIC card? What does it cover in the country you are going to, what isn't covered? Having medics in the family isn't a substitute for medical care.

I'm glad you are well enough to even think about going away but wonder if you might still be in shock about what's happened? DBiL had a minor heart attack last summer and was in total denial for about a month afterwards that anything was different and wanted to continue as if nothing had happened, whereas actually some changes were necessary.

Justanothernameonthepage · 15/03/2017 08:58

Please get insurance. It's not just to cover treatment, but also added expenses such as hotel rooms for family if you do end up in hospital and getting you home afterwards. But other options is to check to see if you can hire assistance there, or to see if someone else can go in your stead while you rest and recover. Having family there already, is there any chance of one of them visiting to help?

ghostyslovesheets · 15/03/2017 08:58

Healthcare isn't free in Europe - the EHIC only covers what people in that country would get free - often very basic care which is propped up by health insurance - my appendix burst abroad my insurance had cover 90% of the cost

Plus, god forbid anything happens, EHIC wont fly you home etc that's insurance

Shop around for insurance - my mum can get it despite a mild heart attack and discuss the risks with your gp

I'm sorry you have been ill - it sucks x

juneau · 15/03/2017 09:03

I agree you need to a) speak to your doctor about the advisability of this ski trip, b) talk to EHIC about exactly what is covered and what isn't and c) not even consider travelling without full and comprehensive travel insurance. EHIC doesn't cover repatriation, I don't think, just basic medical care.

Since you're very young to have had a heart attack do you know what caused it? What is the likelihood of you having another one? TBH, if it was me, I think I'd cancel or ask if someone else could go in my place (does your DH have a sibling or parent, for instance, who could go?) It just seems so soon after after your HA for you to be going off somewhere cold for an active break.

BestIsWest · 15/03/2017 09:06

FGS don't go without insurance. I was badly injured in Portugal. EHIC only covered me for the basic hospital treatment in A&E. Luckily I had insurance which covered flying me home, private ambulance to and from the airport etc.

GoEasyPudding · 15/03/2017 11:57

It must be very upsetting for this to happen to you and to now find your plans might have to change.

Please don't go without insurance.

It's important to let the dust settle a bit and don't be sad about this holiday. Insurance will be easier as time passes and there will be other holidays to enjoy in the future.

Helenluvsrob · 15/03/2017 11:58

Do not go uninsured.

MatildaTheCat · 15/03/2017 12:09

For heavens sake ask your GP. I'm also not sure an airline would be happy to take you if they knew unless you had a fitness to fly letter.

Not really sure how a bunch of random strangers on the Internet can possibly advise on this. Having said that it must have been very frightening and I hope you are recovering. Seems odd that you've been discharged with no follow up?

SlaveToDisney · 15/03/2017 12:18

This happened to my husband last year he had a small heart attack 4 weeks before our family holiday. He was also discharged with a follow up in 6 months and to talk to the gp if any further problems (not very helpful) we went ahead with the holiday and made sure that he didnt do anything that would raise his heart rate (in our case it was no rollercoasters). We just had a more relaxed holiday than we would normally have had but i think it totally depends on how you feel and what the holiday actually entails. Hope you are feeling better and make a good recovery.

WrongTrouser · 15/03/2017 12:22

BHF have a list of insurers who will ensure people with heart conditions. I can recommend StaySure. Your DH is talking nonsense - don't go without travel insurance.

Was it a vasospasm? If so, I believe the cold is a risk factor. I don't want to be a misery, but I also believe that the first three months after a heart attack are the riskiest time for a recurrence.

Are you fully recovered? Are you doing a rehabilitation course? Have you identified what, if anything, triggered it? If I were you, the last thing I would be thinking of doing is getting on a plane and flying somewhere cold. (nb I had no choice but to fly soon after a heart attack - it was not a fun experience, but I had to get home so had no choice).

It sounds like your DH is being a bit blase. You should be focusing on your health, not taking unneccessary risks at this stage.

Sirzy · 15/03/2017 12:24

As others have said don't go without insurance

My dad had a stroke recently. Because he was still under going investigations he couldnt get insurance so we changed the family holiday to a uk based one

LIZS · 15/03/2017 12:25

Not all Scandanavia is EU nor covered by EHIC. You would only get the basic care as per local terms, which in practice often means paying for consultations and treatment so not "free". Does bhf suggest any insurers? Id be wary about flying so soon afterwards as well as effect of cold etc.

MrsRyanGosling15 · 15/03/2017 12:28

Are you sure it was a heart attack, esp with clear arteries? Have you been sent to a cardiac rehab nurse?

JennyOnAPlate · 15/03/2017 12:30

Speak to a doctor for clear advice, and don't go against that advice. You absolutely would need travel insurance.

mumeeee · 15/03/2017 12:31

I think you need to talk to your Doctor about going on this holiday.
Also your DH is talking nonsense you need full travel insurance as well as the Eu card.
In fact the whole family needs full insurance

MrsRyanGosling15 · 15/03/2017 12:47

I know you can have a heart attack with clear arteries, esp women but you just seem to have been sent away with such little information.

Babbaganush · 15/03/2017 12:54

It's crazy to consider going abroad without comprehensive travel insurance even if you don't have any medical conditions! Under the circumstnaces you would be taking a ridiculous risk!
Take medical advice about your fitness to travel, in there are no issue preventing you from going then you can try to find insurance cover.
If you can't get cover I would cancel.

Original poster
restofthetimes · 15/03/2017 13:12

The cardio dr on discharge said its fine to fly.

I asked him if I could ski, and he said no, but didn't mention not to go there.

Re. insurance - its Sweden and they have amzing free healthcare, but thanks for the link for insurers. Will ask DH to look into that further if we decide to go.

On further investigating, it looks like medically it would be OK if I just went outside for short times (10 mins or so) and very wrapped up warm. I'm going to go stir crazy though in an Ikea flat on my own whilst family skis.... Kids are both under 7.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/03/2017 13:16

They may have free healthcare but what happens if you have a major heart attack and the worst happens? Repatriation won't be covered.

What about if you need to be flown back home? That won't be covered.

If you are stupid enough to go without full insurance then I hope you have funds to pay for your own care if needed!

Original poster
restofthetimes · 15/03/2017 13:23

If I died then yes I'm sure DH could pay for my body to come back home but that is v unlikely. Hotels etc not needed, as we have family there.

It was a NSTEMI heart attack, they don't know why yet. I've got lots of follow up to come.

I will call the cardiac rehab nurse. But from what they said, it will be ok. Its kind of up to me.

Helpful to hear about your husband, SlaveToDisney. thanks

OP posts:
MaidOfStars · 15/03/2017 13:27

Sorry to sound like a dick but did you not already have insurance, given that you are going next week? Wouldn't that cover for cancellation?

SolomanDaisy · 15/03/2017 13:28

I don't think even the specialist insurers will insure you so soon after the event. Why do you want to go? You'll be stuck inside and won't be able to help with skiing anyway.