Heart-Wholesome Journey Hacks | American Heart Association

Make an inventory, examine it twice with these heart-healthy vacation journey hacks

As the busiest journey season of the 12 months approaches, the American Heart Association has tricks to ease journey worries for folks residing with well being situations like coronary heart illness and stroke

KANSAS CITY, November 18, 2025 — For folks residing with a well being situation like heart disease or stroke, touring away from house can pose some particular challenges. Those touring to smaller, rural communities, the place there could also be few docs and hospitals, might expertise much less specialised care and longer journey distances for care. The American Heart Association, the main voluntary well being group dedicated to a world of longer, more healthy lives for all, says with a bit pre-travel prep, you possibly can flip journey woes from “oh no” to “let’s go!”

“As we look forward to the holidays, many people will be traveling to spend treasured time with family and friends, or maybe just to enjoy some relaxation on the beach or ski slopes. For some that just means throwing a few essentials into a backpack and hitting the roads or airways,” stated Kansas City’s Go Red for Women Medical Chair, Dr. Michelle Dew, MD, FACC, and Medical Director Women’s Heart Care Program at AdventHealth. “It’s not always that simple for people who have chronic health conditions that require multiple medications or special medical equipment. There are also considerations for how to maintain your health and not put yourself at increased risk.”

She stated that doesn’t imply journey is off limits you probably have a power well being situation. Somewhat planning and preparation can take the stress out of journey and put together you in your subsequent huge journey.

• Check in along with your well being care supplier – Talk to your major care doctor or specialist about your journey plans and any particular concerns associated to your well being. They can supply personalised steerage on any restrictions or precautions you want to remember. It’s additionally a good suggestion to hold a replica of your key medical information and an inventory of cellphone numbers in your docs, together with emergency contact info.
• Manage your medicines – Make certain medicines are clearly labeled and that you’ve got sufficient to final your whole journey. Always preserve needed medicines with you in your carry-on bag or backpack relatively than packing them in checked baggage in case your suitcase will get misplaced. Carry an inventory of all medicines, together with dosages and pharmacy info. If you’re touring throughout time zones, work along with your well being care supplier to regulate treatment schedules appropriately. Some medicines might have to be refrigerated, so analysis the best way to pack these appropriately for airport safety or different transport and make sure you’ll have entry to a fridge in your resort or different lodging.
• Plan for transporting medical gadgets and provides – Whether you’re touring by airplane, bus, practice, cruise ship or different means, it would be best to plan forward you probably have any particular medical tools. If you employ a wheelchair, walker or different help for getting round, it’s possible you’ll have to examine in with the corporate you’ll be touring with for the best way to transport these. That additionally goes for moveable oxygen gadgets or CPAP machines. Don’t neglect to pack your blood stress or glucose monitor in the event you use one repeatedly.

“Depending on where you’re traveling, you’ll also want to do some research and planning specific to the location,” Dew stated. “The native local weather and elevation might influence how you’re feeling – excessive warmth or chilly can have an effect on circulation and put additional pressure in your coronary heart. In excessive altitudes there may be much less oxygen within the air, and which means much less oxygen will likely be carried in your blood. You’ll need to familiarize your self with the native emergency numbers and the placement of close by medical services and pharmacies of the world the place you’re visiting.

The American Heart Association has an interactive map to search out hospitals throughout the U.S. acknowledged for persistently following up-to-date, research-based remedy pointers for coronary heart and stroke care.

Velarde stated air journey is particularly busy in the course of the vacation season, and planning forward could make the expertise simpler.

• Walking by busy airports can take a toll. When reserving your ticket request a wheelchair or courtesy cart to get to your terminal.
• If you’ve got a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) it’s possible you’ll have to undergo a particular safety screening on the airport.
• Long airplane rides, particularly flights longer than 4 hours, might enhance your risk for blood clots, together with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Consider carrying compression socks and stand up and stroll across the cabin when it’s protected to take action to assist enhance your circulation. You may also train your calf muscle tissues and stretch your legs whilst you’re sitting with some easy heel and toe lifts.

Getting caught in an airport throughout flight delays might be irritating, however in lots of U.S. airports, you possibly can flip that awful layover right into a lifesaving expertise. Look for specially marked kiosks in some cities the place you possibly can study the 2 simple steps of Hands-Only-CPR by an interactive educating module.

Know the signs of a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest and in the event you or somebody you’re with expertise any signs, name 9-1-1. EMS can usually begin remedy instantly and put a hospital on alert for the kind of emergency care wanted.

“Maintaining your health while you’re traveling is also important. Stay well hydrated, don’t overindulge in food or drink, know your physical activity limits, pace yourself and rest as often as you need,” Dew stated. “Anticipating an enormous journey might be aggravating for a lot of – and stress shouldn’t be good in your well being. Every particular person’s situation is exclusive, and also you’ll need to tailor your journey plans to your particular wants. By taking a bit time now to plan and put together, you possibly can take pleasure in your vacation or trip might be simply what the physician ordered that will help you unwind and recharge.

Learn extra about wholesome touring at heart.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless power for a world of longer, more healthy lives. Dedicated to making sure equitable well being in all communities, the group has been a number one supply of well being info for multiple hundred years. Supported by greater than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking analysis, advocate for the general public’s well being, and supply crucial sources to save lots of and enhance lives affected by heart problems and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing confirmed options in science, coverage, and care, we work tirelessly to advance well being and rework lives daily.  Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.  

For Media Inquiries 

DeEtta Lee, Sr. Communications Marketing Director 

DeEtta.Lee@coronary heart.org 

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)   

heart.org and stroke.org