If traveling abroad, make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Check the Centers for Disease Control website to see if your destination requires any additional immunizations.
See your physician four to six weeks before you depart. Get any immunizations and a written note permitting whatever modes of transportation you plan to take. Also get written prescriptions for generic versions of your medications (brand names may differ in other countries) in case yours get lost or stolen.
Place medications in your carry-on in the original packaging, and bring enough for an extra week. Also pack a copy of your recent medical history, a list of any food or medication allergies, and your last normal electrocardiogram (ECG) in case you have to see another physician so you'll be able to provide a baseline reading.
Bring the local phone numbers and website addresses of the manufacturers and local representatives for your pacemaker or ICD for each country you visit, as well as your regular physician's phone number.
If your health insurance won't cover you abroad or doesn't include medical evacuation (transportation to the nearest medical facility), buy travel insurance that does. Bring your policy number and the insurance company's phone number.
If you have a pacemaker or implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD), ask to be hand-wanded at the security checkpoint. The walk-through metal detector may not interfere with your device, but there's no need to take any chances.
Your biggest worry on a long flight is deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) in your arms, legs or pelvis. Reserve an aisle seat so you can get up and stretch every 60 to 90 minutes. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. These precautions are vital if you recently had a stent implanted in one or more veins. Wearing compression knee-high stockings can also reduce your risk of leg blood clots.
If your heart condition is fairly recent, avoid vacationing in places with temperature extremes or very high altitudes with thin air.
Also, consider your activity level and how much walking you can handle. If you're obese or otherwise out of shape, check that your overnight accommodations have ready access to ground transportation to help you to get around.
You've likely been prescribed a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and lean meats, and most countries have ethnic foods that stick to it. Avoid fatty and processed meats, salty foods, and rich, creamy sauces and pastries that are probably high in saturated fat.
