JenniferInOhio Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Hey all,Just wondering if flying affects your heart rhythm if you have arrhythmia? Specifically SVT? Do you do anything to help counter the issue like take more medication or just deal with it? I'm not talking about pvc's or palpitations but more serious arrhythmia.Thanks for any insight. I'm actually more nervous about rhythm issues than Potsy symptoms. I have a 2.5 hour flight at the end of this month, and I am prepared with stockings and hydration! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 I think flying does pose some physiological stresses (dehydration, less oxygen, lack of movement). From what I have always understood, the biggest health threat from flying is the risk of blood clots, which is one reason heart attacks can occur in-flight (in people who are at risk for them). I think you should ask your doctor/specialist--for peace of mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferInOhio Posted January 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 I think flying does pose some physiological stresses (dehydration, less oxygen, lack of movement). From what I have always understood, the biggest health threat from flying is the risk of blood clots, which is one reason heart attacks can occur in-flight (in people who are at risk for them). I think you should ask your doctor/specialist--for peace of mind. Oh, I'm definitely asking him. But I know he will say, "You'll be fine. Don't worry." I thought maybe someone here could give me the real scoop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E Soskis Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Well...until I received my pacemaker, my cardiologist told me I was not to fly - he was afraid I would bottom out my BP and drop my heart rate too much at high altitudes. I know that high altitudes can cause all sorts of problems but, if your physician says you will be OK, he would know best. Do you have a medic alert bracelet or necklace? I don't have one yet but, I'm thinking that it is necessary - especially when traveling.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahA33 Posted February 1, 2014 Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 Jennifer,Hope you are doing well today. I have a meeting in Chicago in about a month that I've been panicing about. Going to be around co-workers and everything so it won't be all that easy to disguise the phyisical and emotional anxiety that comes about. I havent been on a plane in years and years.I think it's a good plan to get "tanked up" with some fluids. However, for the svt have you been on verapamil (calan)? I rarely get episides of it any longer since starting it and was on the ablation road.. how is it going on your end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferInOhio Posted February 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 Jennifer,Hope you are doing well today. I have a meeting in Chicago in about a month that I've been panicing about. Going to be around co-workers and everything so it won't be all that easy to disguise the phyisical and emotional anxiety that comes about. I havent been on a plane in years and years.I think it's a good plan to get "tanked up" with some fluids. However, for the svt have you been on verapamil (calan)? I rarely get episides of it any longer since starting it and was on the ablation road.. how is it going on your end?I think I was on verapamil when I was first diagnosed. It's a calcium channel blocker, right? I couldn't get off the couch with it. Super sluggish. I'm actually pretty well functioning with POTS with a low dose beta blocker. We went to the mall today to buy stuff for our trip - we were there for about 3 hours with no ill effects. My SVT episodes are really short - under a minute, but still scary when they happen because they do happen frequently. I also have non-sustained v-tach, but it happens only rarely. I think that is why my Dr. is not concerned. I'm going to make an appointment to talk to him about my trip, but I know he will say to quit worrying!!How long will your trip be? I will be with family so I won't have to act "normal." I would also be extra nervous if I was flying with non-family just because they probably wouldn't "get" the anxiety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahA33 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 I seem to have developed an anxiety when doing something unfamilar or new just because I never know how my body is going to react. The only predictability is unpredictabilty, if that makes any sense. It's not easy. I'm glad you'll be surrounded with close family as that will be one less thing you'll have to worry about. My trip is only for one day. A day packed full of meetings so I'm hoping I can keep it together.I'm sure you know all the tricks to svt trade.. imerssing your face in ice cold water, "gagging" or coughing super hard, holding your breath and bearing down (vasovagal maneuvers).. all sound like tons of fun which do very little for me but when it's happening I would try almsot anything. Even though your episodes are ony ranging around 1 minute, it doesnt take the severity of the fear out of them I'm sure. They're terrifying and immensely difficult to "work through". I can deal with a rather high heart rate but the svt takes it to a whole other level. How high are you ranging from/to?Best of luck to you,Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepbree Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Hi Jen! I too, have non sustained V-tach and POTS. I had an ablation done in Nov but still get palpitations. I understand how scary it can be. I recently flew from Ohio to San Francisco (6+ hrs) and I did okay. Lots of water, compression stockings, and I made sure to eat the salty peanuts on the flight. I stretched my legs out under the seat in front of me and made circles with my feet to keep the blood flow going. On the way home I was having a bit of chest pain upon accent, but it seems chest pains are a bit of a norm for me since the ablation (I had fluid collect around my heart after). All in all I did really well, make sure to pack your bags properly to get through security efficiently, allow for as much spare time as possible so you don't have to rush and stress out. I did find lifting two bags in the overhead to be a struggle (I have trouble bending down and lifting things above my head) so maybe ask your travel companion or a fellow passenger to help you. in retrospect, I should have boarded when they called for people with health conditions, but I am still in denial about all of this and very stubborn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferInOhio Posted February 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 I seem to have developed an anxiety when doing something unfamilar or new just because I never know how my body is going to react. The only predictability is unpredictabilty, if that makes any sense. It's not easy. I'm glad you'll be surrounded with close family as that will be one less thing you'll have to worry about. My trip is only for one day. A day packed full of meetings so I'm hoping I can keep it together.I'm sure you know all the tricks to svt trade.. imerssing your face in ice cold water, "gagging" or coughing super hard, holding your breath and bearing down (vasovagal maneuvers).. all sound like tons of fun which do very little for me but when it's happening I would try almsot anything. Even though your episodes are ony ranging around 1 minute, it doesnt take the severity of the fear out of them I'm sure. They're terrifying and immensely difficult to "work through". I can deal with a rather high heart rate but the svt takes it to a whole other level. How high are you ranging from/to?Best of luck to you,Sarah Sarah, the funny thing is when it is happening, I forget all maneuvers to use - I just panic. I do have a natural instinct to cough while it's happening though.When I go into SVT, it ranges from 150 to 190. At least I think. I wear my heart monitor sometimes, so it has caught it before, but I don't know how accurate that is. My heart rate is regulary 60-70's at rest, 90-100's walking around and 115-120s working/housework. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferInOhio Posted February 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Hi Jen! I too, have non sustained V-tach and POTS. I had an ablation done in Nov but still get palpitations. I understand how scary it can be. I recently flew from Ohio to San Francisco (6+ hrs) and I did okay. Lots of water, compression stockings, and I made sure to eat the salty peanuts on the flight. I stretched my legs out under the seat in front of me and made circles with my feet to keep the blood flow going. On the way home I was having a bit of chest pain upon accent, but it seems chest pains are a bit of a norm for me since the ablation (I had fluid collect around my heart after). All in all I did really well, make sure to pack your bags properly to get through security efficiently, allow for as much spare time as possible so you don't have to rush and stress out. I did find lifting two bags in the overhead to be a struggle (I have trouble bending down and lifting things above my head) so maybe ask your travel companion or a fellow passenger to help you. in retrospect, I should have boarded when they called for people with health conditions, but I am still in denial about all of this and very stubborn. I would be the same way! So, are your palpitations just "regular" now after the ablation or are you still having episodes of nsvt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kisekis Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 i havent been flying for so long. last time i wasnt sick. and after i became sicker so many bad experiences with things because of my malfunction condition. which cause me to lose confident. cause of how vulnerable i am. so trying new things worries me of the risk of the unknown side effects. for flying the anxiety is already makes it bad + the physiology issue.does flying with plane and diving with vessel caused the same air pressure?im not good with air pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepbree Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Hi Jen! I too, have non sustained V-tach and POTS. I had an ablation done in Nov but still get palpitations. I understand how scary it can be. I recently flew from Ohio to San Francisco (6+ hrs) and I did okay. Lots of water, compression stockings, and I made sure to eat the salty peanuts on the flight. I stretched my legs out under the seat in front of me and made circles with my feet to keep the blood flow going. On the way home I was having a bit of chest pain upon accent, but it seems chest pains are a bit of a norm for me since the ablation (I had fluid collect around my heart after). All in all I did really well, make sure to pack your bags properly to get through security efficiently, allow for as much spare time as possible so you don't have to rush and stress out. I did find lifting two bags in the overhead to be a struggle (I have trouble bending down and lifting things above my head) so maybe ask your travel companion or a fellow passenger to help you. in retrospect, I should have boarded when they called for people with health conditions, but I am still in denial about all of this and very stubborn. I would be the same way! So, are your palpitations just "regular" now after the ablation or are you still having episodes of nsvt?I am having quick little spurts of nsvt, so quick in fact that I wonder if it's my imagination. It happens and it's over in a matter of seconds it seems. That, however, is an improvement over what I had been experiencing prior to the ablation. The thing that bothers me about it is that all of this began with similar 'little' episodes so I feel I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, in a sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferInOhio Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Sleepbree,If it is any comfort to you, my doctor (and everywhere I've read) indicates that nsvt in structurally sound heart is not life-threatening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferInOhio Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Hey everyone, just wanted to thank you for the tips. I made sure I was hydrated the day before the flight and the day of. I also wore my compression stockings. I also prayed. A lot. I was totally fine!! No tachycardia, no dizziness, no arrhythmia! It's great to have God on my side and know that He is ultimately in control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjensen Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 That is good to hear. I was wondering how that would go. I have a trip that I would like to take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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