08/11/2025
Heart Healthy Vacation Tips
If travel is on your summer agenda and you have heart disease, be sure to check out these 7 heart healthy travel tips:
1) Depending upon your condition, consider talking to your doctor before the trip to ensure travel is safe. And don’t forget to pack your physician’s contact information, extra medication (in case of delays), and a list of your current meds.
2) Don’t take a vacation from eating well and exercise. Walk daily, or exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday (as long as your physician has given you the green light for exercise). And get plenty of ZZZZs. Follow a healthy diet, as much as possible. Opt for chicken or fish with plenty of vegetables, choose fruit for dessert, and pass on salty snacks.
3) Avoid going overboard on alcohol. Along with extra calories, binge drinking can result in heart palpitations, light-headedness and difficulty breathing.
4) Don’t overload your vacation schedule with too many activities. Remember, vacations are supposed to be about reducing stress, not enhancing it.
5) If travelling by plane, walk the aisles every few hours and pump your legs (while seated) at least once an hour to avoid the risk of blood clots. Staying hydrated is also key.
6) If you have a pacemaker or ICD, try to request special security clearance with a hand search at the airport.
7) In busy airports and/or on planes, keep hand washing/sanitizing in mind, as required.
