- Pack medications and plan when traveling with someone with heart disease, to ensure safety and a successful journey.
- Be mindful of your diet, avoid buffets and street food, and carry healthy snacks.
- Choose a mode of transport that offers comfort and convenience for the patient, such as wheelchair services or front-row seats on trains.
- Consider hiring professional care services, if needed, to provide medical assistance and supervision during the journey.
- Monitor the patient’s health regularly, check their blood pressure and pulse, and seek medical attention for any symptoms or issues.
Traveling can be a thrilling experience, but for people with heart disease, it can be a daunting task. Traveling with someone with heart disease requires extra care and precaution, and ignorance can lead to disastrous results. Therefore, some precautions must be taken if you are planning to travel with someone dealing with heart disease. You need to know some things when traveling with someone with heart disease.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is among the most common causes of death in the United States. It is a group of conditions that affect the heart’s structure, function, and ability to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Typical forms of heart disease include arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and stroke.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries become blocked and reduces oxygen flow to the heart. Symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and lightheadedness. This usually happens because a person lives an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking, being inactive, and not following a healthy diet.
Arrhythmia
Another common form of heart disease is arrhythmia, which occurs when the electrical signals that control the heartbeat become irregular or too fast. People with arrhythmia may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain.
Congestive Heart Failure
Another form of heart disease is congestive heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen throughout the body. Symptoms of congestive heart failure include shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and swelling in the feet or ankles.
Stroke
Lastly, there is stroke, which occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Stroke symptoms include weakness on one side of the body, confusion, slurred speech, and vision loss.
When Traveling with Someone With Heart Disease
If you are planning to travel with someone who has heart disease, there are some things you need to prepare for. Here are some of them:
Pack Medications
When traveling with someone with heart disease, packing their medications is paramount. Pack all their medicines in pill organizers and carry them in your carry-on luggage or a separate bag. Always keep their medication with them, and don’t leave them in the checked-in baggage, as it may get lost in transit. Moreover, it is wise to pack extra medication for emergencies.
Plan Ahead
It is imperative to plan when traveling with someone with heart disease. Long journeys and changes in diet, altitude, and activity levels can cause sudden changes in a patient’s health. Therefore, it’s always better to check with the healthcare provider before traveling, who can guide you on various precautions and provide emergency contact numbers and other crucial information.
Be Mindful of Diet
When traveling, people tend to indulge in various exotic cuisines, but when traveling with someone dealing with heart disease, it is imperative to be mindful of their diet. Researching the food options, avoiding buffet-style meals, dining at trusted eateries, and avoiding street foods are advisable. It is also recommendable to carry healthy snacks such as fruit, nuts, and protein bars.
Mode of Transportation
Next on the list is the mode of transportation. If traveling by air, notify the airlines about a passenger’s health status, check for wheelchair services, and request a special diet if required. If driving, make frequent stops while traveling long distances, and ensure enough legroom and comfort. If traveling by train, book seats in the front, which are closer to the restrooms and exits.
Hire Professional Care
If you can afford it, hiring professional care services to help out might be better. They can provide medical assistance and supervision during the journey, thus providing you with peace of mind. First, however, ensure that they’ve taken a comprehensive AHA course. The course should give them an idea of how to provide medical assistance to someone with heart disease.
Monitor their Health
Lastly, it’s crucial to monitor the patient’s health regularly. Check their blood pressure levels and pulse, and watch for other symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain. It’s always better to carry a portable pulse oximeter to check blood oxygen levels. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention for any symptoms or issues.
Traveling with someone with heart disease can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. With careful planning and precautions, you can ensure the journey is safe and enjoyable for both of you. Following these tips should help in providing a smooth and stress-free journey.
