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.
COVID-19 Cover Update
We’ll only show you quotes from providers who are able to cover emergency medical expenses if you catch the virus abroad, and some of our providers are able to offer additional cover. Please see the below frequently asked questions, or read our full guide for more information.
Travel insurance for people with heart conditions
We understand how difficult it can be to find competitive travel insurance when you have a heart condition - so we’re making it easier for you!
With Medical Travel Compared, you can compare fast quotes for specialist travel insurance in a matter of minutes.
Compare heart condition insurance policies across over 30 well-known and reliable insurance providers to find excellent cover at an amazing value. You’ll find suitable heart condition travel insurance in no time - meaning you can get back to planning your holiday!
There are a number of things to consider when travelling with a heart condition - so it’s important to ensure you have the right travel insurance first and foremost. Just to give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your holiday.
Get a quoteDo I need to declare my heart condition for holiday insurance?
It’s important to declare any heart conditions in order to compare quotes for the specialist cover you need.
This applies if:
- You’ve recently been diagnosed and are receiving treatment for a heart condition
- You’ve EVER been diagnosed with a heart condition in the past
- You’ve had a heart attack - but since made a full recovery
Getting a quote with us is easy and quick.
During the process, it’s likely that you will need to answer some questions based on the specific nature of your condition.
The answers you provide enables us to gather more of an understanding of your medical history. This helps us to provide you quotes from a range of different providers that you can compare.
What heart conditions can be covered with my travel insurance?
When it comes to heart-related conditions, there are many different types.
The good news is that we can help you find cover for a variety of different heart conditions including:
- Congenital heart disease
- Arrhythmia
- Coronary artery disease
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
...and many more.
Top tips for travelling if you've had a heart attack
Sarah is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and is the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.
Having a heart attack is understandably a scary experience but advances in treatment mean that survival rates have never been better. Having a heart attack certainly shouldn't stop you from enjoying holidays in the future, but you do need to take extra precautions.
- You need to declare any heart condition to your travel insurance company before you book if you've ever been diagnosed with a heart condition, including a heart attack, even if you've made a full recovery. If you don't declare this, it could invalidate your travel insurance.
- How soon you can fly after you've had a heart attack depends on your risk of another heart attack – never fly unless you've been advised by your medical team that it’s safe to do so.
- If you're at very low risk of a second heart attack, you may be able to fly in as little as three days after your heart attack. However, this is unusual: you'd usually need to be under 65 years old, have no complications, have no history of a heart attack in the past and have no further treatment planned.
- If you're over 65 or have had a heart attack in the past, the Civil Aviation Authority recommends that you can fly from seven to 10 days after a heart attack, as long as you don't have any symptoms or complications and no more treatment is planned. As before, always check with your medical team that it's safe for you to fly.
- If you've had a heart attack, you should not drive for at least four weeks: this may be longer if you haven't made a full recovery. If you're planning to hire a car while abroad, check the regulations in the country you're travelling to before you get behind the wheel.
- Many people with heart attacks have high blood pressure. This shouldn't stop you from flying as long as your blood pressure is controlled.
- If you've had a heart attack, you'll almost certainly be taking several medications to reduce your risks – including medicine to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and prevent your blood from clotting too easily. Order your medication from your GP well in advance, to make sure you have enough for the whole length of your holiday. Ideally, take a few days' extra supply in case of problems or delays while you're abroad.
- Carry your medication with you in your hand luggage, along with a copy of your repeat prescription and a letter from your doctor if needed. Check you know the rules about carrying medicines in your hand luggage and taking medication abroad.
- Hot weather can put extra strain on your heart. Do make sure you avoid getting dehydrated and over-exposed in the sun. Remember that the sun's rays are usually at their most powerful between 11am and 3pm local time.
- If you've had a recent heart attack or heart surgery, avoid destinations at very high altitudes: air is thinner especially at more than 2,000 metres above sea level and this can increase the risk of angina or shortness of breath.
- Oxygen levels in airplane cabins are a little lower than at home, but if you can walk up a couple of flights of stairs without too much shortness of breath, you shouldn't have problems.
- Exercise is actively encouraged for those who have had a heart attack, as it can greatly strengthen your heart and lungs as well as help reduce the risk of another heart attack. However, do avoid strenuous exercise you're not used to, especially in hot weather, while you're on holiday and don't suddenly start doing a lot of exercise if you're not used to it: after a heart attack, you need to build up gradually.
What is covered by heart condition travel insurance?
This usually varies from provider to provider.
Broadly speaking - any given travel insurance policy will include the following:
- Cancellation
- Medical expenses & repatriation
- Theft/loss of belongings
- Personal accident
Cover will also depend on the nature of your condition (as per the answers you provide during medical screening, see below) and also whether you choose to select any optional extras.
The level of cover will depend on the type of heart condition you have. Providers will also take into account your medical history.
There are also optional extras you can add on to your policy such as gadget cover.
And, depending on the type of holiday you’ve booked and activities listed on your itinerary - you might also be interested in cruise cover or even winter sports cover.
Get a quoteTravel insurance for children with heart conditions
Under 16s with heart conditions can also be covered.
You just need to declare their pre-existing conditions on their behalf when comparing quotes for travel insurance.
This applies to single trip and annual trip policies - as well as family and group travel insurance policies.
Compare quotes from specialist heart condition insurance providers
Using our online quote comparison tool couldn’t be easier. The process literally takes minutes - so you can get back to the more exciting part of planning your holiday before you know it!
First of all, we need to know a few personal details about you and your trip. Then you can select the type of cover you need - whether that's a single trip or annual multi-trip policy (don’t forget to add optional extras if you need them!).
Then, you can declare your heart condition(s) including details on whether you have a pacemaker before comparing quotes. It’s as straightforward as that.
And, because we work with over 30 specialist medical travel insurance providers, you won’t struggle for choice!
Get a quoteFrequently Asked Questions
We’ll only show you quotes from providers who are able to cover emergency medical expenses (including repatriation to the UK) if you catch the virus whilst travelling abroad.
Some of our providers are able to offer additional cover, such as cancellation cover should you catch COVID-19 or have to self-isolate because of suspected symptoms before departure. We’ll make it clear who these providers are when you’re comparing quotes so you can choose the policy that is right for you.
This doesn’t apply to all insurance providers, so unless otherwise stated, for all other sections of cover, you wouldn’t be covered if making a claim as a result of COVID-19.
For more information, we recommend reading our full guide here.
If the FCDO are advising against all, or all but essential travel to your destination at the time of your trip, there will be no, or extremely limited cover provided by your policy.
You can still choose to take out a policy now for a future holiday, but it is very important to note that if the FCDO are still advising against all but essential travel to your destination at the time of your trip, your cover will not be valid.
For more information, we recommend reading our full guide here.
* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has declared atrial fibrillation and is travelling to Spain for 7 nights. Price is correct as of December 2019. Prices may vary according to your individual requirements.
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If we're unable to help you find cover for a pre-existing medical condition, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPs) have launched a new directory listing companies that may be able to assist you. You can find out more information here.
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