Can you fly after a heart stent?

Your doctor will tell you when you can safely travel after angioplasty, but in general, you can resume air travel about one week after a stent or balloon angioplasty. The main thing to remember is that sitting in one position for too long can put you at risk of blood clots if you have PAD.



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Effects of Flight Persons who are already at risk from a preexisting cardiovascular disorder, especially if unstable, are at higher risk. Inactivity during flight, especially during long flights, reduces blood flow in the legs thus increasing the risk of blood clots.

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It is recommended for travelers with blocked arteries to remain on the lookout for shortness of breath or other symptoms that would show that the situation is becoming risky. This is why a medical escort is ideal if you have a blocked artery and you need to fly.

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Take your medications as prescribed
“If your doctor has not recommended that you take aspirin daily, it's not suggested that you take it when you travel to prevent blood clots,” Coogan said. “On the other hand, if you do take prescribed blood thinners, you should feel safe traveling.”

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Cardiac arrhythmia. Hypoxia and increased sympathetic activation may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias at high altitude2; however, the incidence of significant arrhythmias during air travel is rare.

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