Travel and Holidays with High Blood Pressure

Travelling with high blood pressure

So you have decided to take a holiday somewhere and you’re not sure about how your high blood pressure could affect it. There are a number of things to consider and prepare for ahead of time that can make it easy for you later. People with high blood pressure travel all of the time and enjoy themselves without complications.

Have you decided to fly? There are some issues you might want to talk to your doctor about before you fly. It is rare but sometimes people with high blood pressure along with other complications can not fly. Some airlines may even require you to get a written statement from your doctor to say that you are fit. This is especially true if you need oxygen on a flight.

The other complication is circulation. People with high blood pressure sometimes have other circulation problems. Sitting on a plane for hours can make this situation worse and some people develop what is called a deep vein thrombosis. If you are taking blood thinners or are prone to these you may need to consult your doctor before flying as a deep vein thrombosis can be fatal.

What about travel insurance?

If you have high blood pressure this could increase what you have to pay or you could be denied. If you do not tell the agency that you have high blood pressure and anything happens they could refuse to pay a claim. Many times companies will asked that you be evaluated or may need a statement from your doctor. A couple of the criteria they consider is whether you have your high blood pressure under control and how long you have been taking medications for high blood pressure.

Preparing to travel...

A little preparation before hand can avert crisis later on in your trip. Make sure you have your blood pressure medications packed. It would not hurt to put a few extra pills in a separate bag in case your bag gets lost or you lose your pills.

Make sure your doctor know you are going on a trip and ask if you should take any special precautions. Make sure you pack your doctor’s number in case of an emergency.

Did you pack your blood pressure monitoring device? It is a good idea that you continue to monitor your blood pressure while on holiday. First it can catch a potential problem and secondly it helps keep a consistent record for your doctor later on. Most blood pressure monitors are small enough to pack easily, just don’t forget extra batteries.

On arrival...

While it may be easy to overindulge while on vacation, when you have high blood pressure this may not be a good idea. You can have a couple of alcoholic drinks and the occasional meal laden with salt, but try to balance things and do so in moderation. Don’t stress out about it, just be aware of it. Besides many blood pressure medications warn against using it with alcohol as it may have serious adverse effects.

So with a little preparation and monitoring, you can have a safe and healthy holiday.

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