Arrthymia is a change in your natural heart rate – an increase or decrease in speed, extra beats or even missed beats – due to a change in the normal electrical pattern of a heartbeat.

 But what is a heartbeat? Well basically the heart acts as a muscular pump. It is activated by electrical impulses that  that first direct the upper 2 chambers of the heart (the left and right atria) to contract. These squeeze the blood into the lower chambers – the ventricles. The impulses then cause the ventricles to compress, pumping the blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. This process is a heartbeat.

 As we know, a heartbeat should normally occur between 60 and 100 times per min when the body is at rest. Tachycardia is when the rate is over 100, and brachycardia is when the rate is below 60.

If you have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia, you may be worried, but at AllClear we believe you should be able to live your life as normally as you can, and that includes being able to travel if at all possible. Please take a look at the AllClear4U page for full information on travelling with an arrhythmia. But for now, here is a brief description of the different types of irregular heartbeat and considerations for travel (Thanks to an article in the Daily Mail for providing some of the info).

 Atrial arrthymias

 Supraventicular tachycardia (SVT)

What is it? A fast heartbeat. Tony Blair suffered from this, although patients are more typically young females

Diagnosis? Diagnosed using an ECG (electrical tracing of the heart rhythm)

Symptoms? Palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid breathing, dizziness

Complications? Unpleasant, but generally not life threatening

Treatment? Medication can be taken for infrequent symptoms. Ablation therapy – when a soft catheter is fed up a blood vessel to the heart and abnormal tissue is frozen – has a success rate of around 95% with many SVTs.

Travelling with medication? Make sure you carry sufficient medication in your hand luggage to cover you from “check in“ to reclaiming your baggage at your destination (Allow a few more hours on top in case of delays). Take a list of your medications which includes both the generic and brand names of each together with respective dosages. Keep the list separately from the medications themselves. Ideally all medication should be carried within your hand luggage just in case checked in luggage goes astray or medications are damaged in the hold.

 Atrial fibrillation (AF)

What is it? A particular type of SVT. Attacks can last from seconds to days and can become permanent. Up to aged 65, there is a 1% chance of developing AF, over age 75, it is 10%.

Causes? AF often occurs in those with high blood pressure, when the heart muscle in the left atrium begins to stretch, causing abnormal impulses to be sent out.

Symptoms? May be asymptomatic but could include palpitations or shortness of breath

Complications? Can cause clots which could cause a stroke

Treatment? In an otherwise healthy patient, aspirin is normally used. Those in high risk groups, such as the elderly or diabetics – are prescribed warfarin

Travel Destinations? Prepare your trip well in advance by checking out your accommodation. For example, avoid staying at a hotel situated at the top of a steep hill, miles away from the nearest town. It may not be advisable to travel to countries which have extremely cold conditions as this may affect the heart by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure, and the risk of developing clots. If you intend travelling to high altitudes, you should check with a medical professional that you are fit to travel.

 Ventricular arrhythmias

 Ventricular tachycardia (VF)

What is it? Rarer than SVT, it is a fast heartbeat originating from within the ventricles,  where the electrical impulses are firing too quickly to empty blood from the heart

Causes? Include scarring of the heart muscle following a heart attack; hereditary; viruses or alcohol abuse

Symptoms? Dizziness, palpitation, shortness of breath, collapse and loss of palpable pulse

Complications? VT can become ventricular fibrillation (when blood stops pumping into the arteries) and asystole (when there is no cardiac electrical activity) and cause sudden death

Treatments? Any underlying condition such as heart disease will need to be treated. For the symptoms, beta blocker medication

Travel Activities? If you have arrhythmia, there is a risk of losing consciousness if you go diving. Therefore, you will need to visit your doctor to see if you are fit to dive

 Heart disease can cause problems whilst on holiday, however if you choose your destination and plan your itinerary with care this should help to minimize any potential risks, and make sure that you enjoy your holiday!