Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.
Travelling with high blood pressure can be a bit stressful, especially when flying. However, with careful planning and support, travellers with high blood pressure can enjoy their holidays without any issues.
Do you or someone you know have high blood pressure? It's one of the most common long-term health conditions, affecting 1 in 3 UK adults, and it's also one of the most serious. Although it often goes symptomless, high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes—accounting for 40% of all heart attacks and 60% of strokes—which is why it's often called a 'silent killer.'
The good news is that high blood pressure can be managed. As long as it's well-controlled, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to fly. Nevertheless, it's wise to be prepared and aware of potential complications while on holiday to ensure a relaxing, carefree trip. Here’s what you need to know.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure measures the force at which your heart pumps blood throughout your body. The ideal range is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg; readings of 140/90mmHg or higher are considered elevated. While anyone can develop high blood pressure, known as hypertension, it is far more prevalent in individuals over 50.
"There are about 16 million people in the UK with high blood pressure: nine million who know they have it and seven million who don't," explains Julie Ward, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation. "Symptoms like headaches, blurred vision, or light-headedness are rare. Many have high blood pressure for years without realising it, with some only discovering it during emergencies like heart attacks or strokes."
Dr. Albert Alahmar, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Spire Hull and East Riding Hospital emphasises the importance of taking blood pressure medication seriously. "Hypertension is a very common condition, affecting around 20% of the population over 40. It's crucial that it is treated," he notes.
Can You Fly with High Blood Pressure?
If you have high blood pressure, the severity of your condition or the type of medication you are on could impact your ability to fly. For more information on flying and travelling with high blood pressure, visit the British Heart Foundation website.
Managing your blood pressure effectively is crucial, especially when flying. The unique conditions on an aeroplane can influence blood pressure levels. If your blood pressure is not well-controlled, or if you are pregnant and have high blood pressure, consult your doctor before making travel arrangements to ensure it is safe for you to fly.
“The atmosphere in the plane is totally different,” Dr Alahmar notes. “How we respond to that varies from one person to another, but if you measured the blood pressure of people on an aeroplane, compared to on the ground, almost certainly they will have higher blood pressure [on the plane].”
Visit Your Doctor Before Travel
If you are at all unsure about whether or not your high blood pressure might affect your holiday, it's important to take precautions. Visit your doctor before you book your trip for a quick check-up and some personalised advice. Discuss your travel plans in detail, including the destination, duration, and activities you plan to engage in.
Your doctor is the best person to determine your level of health and provide recommendations tailored to your needs. Remember that you shouldn’t travel against your doctor's advice, as doing so could put your health at serious risk. Always prioritise your well-being to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday.
READ MORE: Fit-To-Fly Certificates
Dr Sarah Jarvis’s Top Tips
Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.
Having high blood pressure shouldn’t stop you from travelling (including by air) or enjoying a holiday if it’s controlled. However, you should speak to your doctor before you book if your blood pressure readings have been very high or unstable.
Here are some of my top tips for travelling safely if you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure:
- If your blood pressure is well controlled, you don’t necessarily need a blood pressure check just before you travel. However if your most recent readings have been raised, or you haven’t had a blood pressure check for over six months, see your GP or practice nurse for a reading before you travel.
- While you’re flying, avoid alcohol, keep hydrated with non-alcoholic fluids and move around the cabin regularly.
- Alcohol and exotic foods may feel like they’re an integral part of being on holiday, but remember that both alcohol and salty foods can raise your blood pressure.
- Some blood pressure medicines are diuretics – they get rid of excess fluid, bringing your blood pressure down, but these medications may make you more prone to dehydration if you’re in a very hot country or have diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Your pharmacist can advise how your blood pressure tablets work.
- Most people with high blood pressure can use saunas and hot tubs safely. However, they can cause your blood pressure to drop as blood vessels on your skin dilate to cool you down. So, look out for signs of low blood pressure, such as feeling light-headed, dizzy or faint.
If you’d like to read more of Dr Jarvis’s tips, then check out our travel insurance for high blood pressure page.
Medication
If you have started taking medication for high blood pressure in the last three months, your doctor might advise you not to travel. If you do get the green light, Ward adds: “Make sure you’ve got an adequate supply of medication so you don’t run out while you’re on holiday.”
Bringing at least an extra two weeks' worth of medication is prudent in case of loss or delays. While pharmacies are generally accessible, not all countries carry the same drug brands. Dr. Alahmar warns that switching medications abroad can be hazardous. “You don’t want to run out of tablets in a different country, as they may not have these [same] tablets. There are different families of drugs for treating high blood pressure, and we know for a fact that every patient responds to different drugs in different ways, so you may not respond to a new drug in the same way. It can be quite serious to change to different brands when you are on holiday.”
Why is Blood Pressure Medication so Important?
Lifestyle changes play an important role in managing high blood pressure, particularly keeping salt intake low, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight, but medication is also crucial and some people are prescribed multiple drugs. If you’ve never experienced symptoms or felt unwell, the idea of being on long-term medication can seem odd. But, as Dr Alahmar highlights, there’s been a lot of research around the effects of high blood pressure and if left untreated, “the risks of stroke and heart attacks rocket”.
An alarming proportion of people with high blood pressure are not receiving treatment. Plus, of those who have been prescribed blood pressure drugs, recent figures suggest 50-80% do not take all of their medication.
READ MORE: Travelling with Medication
This might also explain why some people don’t declare their high blood pressure when taking out travel insurance. A survey in 2014 found 1 in 20 holidaymakers aged over 50 failed to declare a medical condition in a bid to cut costs, while Foreign & Commonwealth Office figures suggest 1 in 7 holidaymakers in the over-50s bracket have travelled without insurance. According to reports, high blood pressure is the second most likely health condition people fail to declare when taking out travel insurance.
Managing Your Medication on Holiday
So, what else do you need to know about managing blood pressure on holiday? Dr Alahmar says sticking to your medication regime is vital. “Your tablets should be taken every single day – but it may be even more important to take your tablets when you travel, because of the change in conditions and the flights.”
If you are planning on travelling for a prolonged period, you might want to consider taking a blood pressure monitor with you so that you can keep an eye on your condition and keep track of any changes. It’s a good idea to chat to your Doctor about this, to find out where to get them.
Monitoring Your Blood Pressure on Holiday
Ward and Dr Alahmar both advise taking a blood pressure monitor with you on holiday. “Blood pressure machines are much easier and less expensive to buy than ever before, and if you’ve got high blood pressure, you should really be monitoring it at home and while you’re away,” says Ward. “We recommend monitoring twice a day; once in the morning, once in the evening and keep a diary. Then when you’re travelling, you can make sure it’s still OK.”
Anything from the stress of rushing through the airport, to changes in routine and climate can potentially affect your blood pressure. Foreign food can often be saltier, and Dr Alahmar notes that keeping well hydrated, especially in hot, sunny countries, is very important for people on blood pressure medication.
Sitting down to monitor your blood pressure only takes a few minutes – not a big price to pay for peace of mind. Then you can focus on the important stuff: Enjoying that well-earned break.
High Blood Pressure Travel Insurance
When travelling with high blood pressure managed by medication, it's easy to forget to declare it as a pre-existing medical condition when you buy travel insurance. However, it's crucial to remember this important step.
When telling us about your high blood pressure we’ll take you through a simple medical screening process that will help us and your travel insurance provider understand your condition and help you find the right cover to suit your individual needs.
Make Sure You’re Fully Covered
Even if your blood pressure has never caused any problems and is very well controlled, it’s crucial to declare it, along with any medication you’ve been prescribed. If you don’t and you end up falling ill and incurring costs, you may not be covered.
Every week, the Financial Ombudsman Service receives complaints from holidaymakers who’ve had travel insurance claims rejected – failure to declare pre-existing conditions is one of the most common reasons.
Your premiums won’t necessarily change very much - this will depend on other factors too, including your age, how many drugs you’re taking, and other aspects of your health history – so it’s worth comparing prices to see what travel insurance for high blood pressure options are available.
Travelling when managing high blood pressure requires careful planning and a proactive approach to ensure your well-being throughout your trip. By adhering to your medication regimen, monitoring your blood pressure regularly, and ensuring that your travel insurance fully covers your condition, you can greatly mitigate the risks associated with high blood pressure.
Remember to declare your condition and medications accurately when purchasing insurance to avoid complications. With these precautions in place, you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind, knowing that you are prepared for any eventualities.
If you’re looking for more information and articles, be sure to check out our blog. Or, for more insurance information, take a look at our guides.
SOURCES:
https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2017/01/24/health-matters-combating-high-blood-pressure/
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jul/14/best-travel-insurance-policy-pre-existing-medical-conditions
https://home.bt.com/lifestyle/money/insurance/travel-insurance-warning-to-over-50s-11363935897373