Travel after SCAD

Can I drive after SCAD?

Click here for information on whether you can drive after a heart attack and here for whether you have to inform the DVLA and your insurance company.

If you are driving on holiday or for long journeys, schedule regular stops to get out of the car and move around.

Can I fly after SCAD?

The NHS advice on flying after a heart attack is here.

If you are flying:

  • Stay well hydrated.
  • Walk around the cabin regularly.
  • Do ‘foot circling’ and ‘toe crunching’ type exercises while in your seat to keep your circulation going. Don’t forget your compression flight socks!

What do I need to consider when travelling?

When leaving the UK:

  • Take all your medications with you in their original boxes, not unlabelled in pill containers (you could have problems getting through customs).
  • Check that the medications you take are legal in the country you are visiting.
  • Check if you need a letter from your doctor about your medications.
  • If you use pain-killers, check that the brand you use is legal in the country you are visiting.
  • Take more medications than you need with you, in case your return journey gets delayed.
  • Take your prescription with you in case you lose your meds.
  • Keep all of this in your hand luggage – in case your suitcase goes missing.

Insurance

Make sure your holiday insurance provider knows you have had a SCAD and that the policy covers who you are travelling with too, so that, in the unlikely event anything happens to you, they can stay with you and travel with you if your plans change.

Make your own SCAD information pack

  • Consider buying medical ID jewellery to wear.
  • Take your hospital discharge papers, copies of any ECGs etc with you.
  • Take Beat SCAD literature with you.
  • Take Beat SCAD’s ICE (In Case of Emergency) card with you. Please allow at least 15 days for us to send this out to you before you go on holiday!
  • Look up the details of the nearest hospital with cardiac facilities to where you are staying. Print out the address and phone number. (The international SCAD Survivors group on Facebook can be a good place to ask if there are any good SCAD doctors in ‘X’ city… )
  • Put all of this information in your hand luggage – not in your suitcase, just in case your suitcase goes missing.
  • And once you have prepped all this stuff, put it in something like a zipped up clear plastic wallet. Tell your travelling companion where to find it if needed, then you can forget all about it and have a fantastic time!

Using the London Underground?

If you travel in London and are unable to stand for any length of time, you can get a ‘please give me a seat’ badge. Apply for it here.

If you find any additional useful resources please email us so that we can review them.  Please also let us know if you discover any broken web links.