Expert: Roberto Gomes - 8/29/2004

Question
Hi there,

I am currently considering a trip to the Netherlands in October.  

Have you ever heard of problems flying with those diagnosed with heart disease?

I will ask my doctor tomorrow for his opinion, but was curious if you had any first hand experience with others.

Thanks,

Cheri

Answer
Dear Cheri,

Many airlines will not allow passengers to fly with certain conditions. Regulations may vary so if in doubt seek advice from the medical department of the airline concerned.
Conditions that might cause problems include:

- Pregnancy beyond 36 weeks.
- New born babies during the first few days after birth.
- Recent or current middle ear infections or sinusitis.
- Unstable psychiatric illness or epilepsy.
- Recent myocardial infarction or moderate/severe heart failure.
- Recent chest, intra-cranial or abdominal surgery.
- Recent pnuemothorax or moderate to severe hypoxic pulmonary disease.
- The presence of a communicable disease.
- Previous record of causing disruption during flights.

There were few occasions when a flight had to land in the middle of the way due some emergency on board. I had this experience when I was travelling between Sao Paulo, Brazil and Miami, US and we had to land in Aruba. Since I had previous experience I voluntered to help the crew to make the necessary arrangements on the ground and fortunatelly everything went pretty well.

Ask you doctor about your concerns. He or she is the one to best determine your physical condition.

Best Regards,

R.Gomes