Top Tips for Travelling if You’ve Had a Stroke

Just because you’ve had a stroke, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get a break. However, there are rules about how soon you can travel after having a stroke. In addition, you may have mobility or other care needs that you didn’t have before. That means you will need to take a few extra precautions to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

Travelling After a ‘Mini-Stroke’

A TIA or transient ischaemic attack is sometimes called a ‘mini-stroke’. It causes the same symptoms as a stroke, but you recover completely within 24 hours.

However, even though you feel fine within 24 hours, having a TIA means you’re at higher risk of having a stroke in the future. That’s why it’s so important to have regular follow-ups with your doctor and to take any medication you’re prescribed, which can greatly reduce the chance of having a stroke.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the DVLA, covers rules on driving in the UK. You’re not allowed to drive a regular car or motorcycle for at least 1 month after a single TIA. However,  you don’t need to inform the DVLA unless you have any problems with balance or eyesight, any seizure, or ongoing weakness in your arms in your arms or legs a month after the episode. If you have a bus, coach or lorry license you can’t drive for at least a year and must inform the DVLA.

In addition, you should usually wait for at least 2 weeks after a TIA before you fly – your doctor will advise when it’s safe to do so. Officially the Civil Aviation Authority recommends waiting at least 2 days before any flight. You should probably avoid long-haul travel for at least 3 months and it’s very important to keep hydrated whilst you're travelling.

How Soon After a Stroke Can I Fly?

After you have a stroke, you’re at the highest risk of having another one in the first few weeks after it happens. You’re also more likely to be having regular follow-up and intensive rehabilitation at this stage. So it’s probably best to wait before going on holiday if you can.

The Civil Aviation Authority recommends waiting at least 2 weeks after a stroke before you fly. How long you should wait will vary depending on your circumstances, including which part or parts of your body have been affected and how much disability you’re left with.

If your stroke was caused by a bleed into the brain (rather than the more common clot on the brain) you may need to wait longer.

Deep Vein Thrombosis and Flying After a Stroke

Sitting still for long periods increases your risk of a clot on the leg (a deep vein thrombosis or DVT) that could travel to your lungs. This is more of a risk on long-haul plane journeys, where seats are often cramped and you can’t easily get up and walk around. However, long car journeys (and possibly train journeys if you can’t get out of your seat) also carry a risk.

Having a stroke also increases your risk of DVT, especially if your mobility has been affected. That’s why it’s especially important to take steps to reduce your risk if you’re flying after a stroke.

You can cut your risk of DVT by doing simple exercises to keep your legs moving if you can - most airlines have examples in their in-flight magazines. If you can, get an aisle seat and get up and walk up and down the cabin regularly. Use the overhead compartment to store any luggage rather than placing it under the seat in front of you – this will make it easier to move your legs around while you’re sitting.

Dehydration concentrates your blood, making clots more likely. So make sure you drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids when you’re flying. Remember that this is likely to make you need the toilet more often, so you might think about booking a seat near the toilets. Any amount of alcohol, on the other hand, can dehydrate you, as well as affect your balance (which may already have been compromised by your stroke). So avoid any alcohol whilst on board.

Your medical team may recommend that you wear flight socks if you’re flying. These are a form of elastic compression stockings, which provide the greatest pressure around the ankle. Compression stockings help improve the circulation in your veins, which are carrying blood back to the heart. They can reduce your risk of DVT, especially if you’re not very mobile.

Personal Care on Airline Flights

If you have mobility issues, it may take you longer than usual to get to your departure gate. Do factor this in when planning your trip to the airport. Airports are required to have assistance points which will usually include drop-off points, car parks and train/bus terminals. If you’re using a medium/long-stay car park, you’ll probably need to use the airport bus terminal. Most of these are wheelchair accessible in the UK – but it’s worth checking with both your departure and arrival airports.

Most airlines will let you carry two items of mobility equipment free, in addition to your baggage allowance. Your wheelchair will be stored in the hold during the flight. However, it should be waiting for you at the arrival gate if you’ve booked assistance.

Airline operators have to provide help for you to board, leave the plane and transfer between flights. However, you need to give them notice of what help you'll need. You can book this via your airline or travel agent.

If you need personal care, bear in mind that airline staff are not allowed to provide this (although they can provide some help with getting you on board and disembarking). You'll need to have someone with you to attend to any personal care you need.

If you need assistance at the airport, let the airline know what you'll need and when: a wheelchair to the gate, help at security gates or getting onto the plane or a specific seat on the aircraft.

Your Medication

Pack your medication in your hand luggage just in case your hold luggage is lost or delayed. If you're travelling with someone else, it's a good idea to get them to carry some of it just in case one set of luggage goes astray. However, be aware that you'll need to be with them when they go through customs or airport security so you can vouch that the medication is yours.

Make sure you know the rules about what medication can go in your hand luggage, and whether the country you're visiting has restrictions on certain medicines.

Take a list of all your medications as well as a copy of your repeat prescription – and keep your medication in its original packaging with your name on the label. You may also need a letter from your doctor confirming that you’re fit to fly and what medication you’re taking.

Your Wellbeing

It's very common to tire more easily if you've had a stroke. Take into account the length of travel involved in getting to your destination and consider booking trips that don't involve early morning or late-night transfers.

If you have mobility problems as a result of your stroke, consider booking with a travel agency that provides a range of activities tailored to your needs. They should also be able to offer options which have step-free access and are wheelchair accessible.

If you need to take a wheelchair or other mobility equipment with you for use during your holiday, speak to your airline. Most airlines will carry two items of mobility equipment without charge, although you'll have to check in larger items such as wheelchairs.

If your speech is affected, take a written copy of your travel itinerary with you. You can show this if you need help during your transfers.

Other Top Tips

If you're travelling alone, make sure you take contact details of someone who can be contacted if you run into problems. Ideally, make arrangements with more than one person to increase the chance of your contact being available.

Make sure you have specialist travel insurance in place before you go. Many policies will exclude pre-existing medical conditions such as a history of stroke or TIA. Getting a policy which doesn't specify cover if you've had a stroke or TIA could invalidate your insurance if you fall ill while you're away.