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Is Travelling By Flight Advisable When Diagnosed With A-fib?
Question: I have A-fib just recently diagnosed. I take 50 MG of Metoprolol and 1 325 mg aspirin at night. Is it okay to fly? I have an appointment scheduled with a cardiologist for when I get back as he didn't have time to see me before I leave on the 8th of July. Can I take an extra pill or 1/2 of a pill if I feel the symptoms of A-Fib, like the rapid heart rate?
Brief Answer:
please provide following details.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam
I would like you to add the following details.
1. If you have undergone a cardiac ultrasound or ECHO as yet?
2. What were your symptoms when A fib. was diagnosed for the first time?
3. what is your usual blood pressure and if you have any concomitant illness?
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
please provide following details.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam
I would like you to add the following details.
1. If you have undergone a cardiac ultrasound or ECHO as yet?
2. What were your symptoms when A fib. was diagnosed for the first time?
3. what is your usual blood pressure and if you have any concomitant illness?
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have not undergone a cardiac ultrasound or ECHO yet. My signs of A-fib were a rapid heart beat and hard to breath. My usual blood pressure is good I don't know the exact number and no I do not have any concomitant illness. I have not yet seen the cardiologist I was referred to because he didn't feel it was of the utmost importance to see me right away. I had to call 3 times to finally get an appointment and it wasn't until I get back from Alaska.
Brief Answer:
please see details.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam
In the absence of a cardiac ultrasound, your diagnosis of A fib is incomplete. Like A diagnosis of fever is incomplete without knowing the cause of fever.
I am afraid in the absence of underlying cause of A fib, it is not possible to determine the safety of air travel. The presence of valvular heart diseases and cardiac dysfunction are two of the important disorders which can be present in such cases and can be diagnosed by ECHO. These disease alter the possibility of a safe air travel.
It is not prudent to take any medication without advice of your physician or cardiologist. A fib is a process where fluctuation of heart rate is well known. We tend to look at average heart rate over a longer period before adjusting medications.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
please see details.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam
In the absence of a cardiac ultrasound, your diagnosis of A fib is incomplete. Like A diagnosis of fever is incomplete without knowing the cause of fever.
I am afraid in the absence of underlying cause of A fib, it is not possible to determine the safety of air travel. The presence of valvular heart diseases and cardiac dysfunction are two of the important disorders which can be present in such cases and can be diagnosed by ECHO. These disease alter the possibility of a safe air travel.
It is not prudent to take any medication without advice of your physician or cardiologist. A fib is a process where fluctuation of heart rate is well known. We tend to look at average heart rate over a longer period before adjusting medications.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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