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Heart disease travel insurance

When you live with heart disease, taking regular holidays is a great way to relax and minimise stress. It’s important, however, to plan ahead carefully when you are going to be away from home.

First and foremost, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your heart disease and how it affects you before booking any trips . They will be able to confirm that you are well enough to go away. You can also discuss the things you should and shouldn’t be doing during your holiday, such as any activities you may want to participate in.

In many cases, having heart disease is no barrier to an enjoyable and fulfilling breakaway. However, being aware of how to take care of yourself while away is the best way to ensure your holiday is a relaxing getaway you need.

What is heart disease?

The term ‘heart disease’ is often used interchangeably with ‘cardiovascular disease’ and generally refers to conditions that involve or cause narrowed or blocked blood vessels. When fatty deposits build up in the arteries, blood flow is restricted and cannot travel around the body as it should. This impaired blood flow can in turn lead to further problems such as heart attacks , heart failure , angina , and strokes .

As a catch-all term, heart disease also covers heart rhythm problems and defects, such as arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation , as well as the things that cause them.

Please note, when looking for heart disease insurance, you must declare all of the conditions you have so that you are properly insured.

As it covers so many conditions, heart disease is very common. In the UK alone, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) estimates that there are approximately 7 million people living with a form of heart disease. Thankfully, modern medicine has helped to make them easier to live with; the annual number of heart disease-related deaths has fallen by more than half since the BHF was established in 1961.

What risk factors are associated with heart disease?

The risk factors for heart disease are many and complex; there can often be a mix of factors involved, including:

• Family history of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks , strokes , angina , heart failure , hypertension , cardiomyopathy , and peripheral vascular disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Alcohol intake

Many things that increase the likelihood of developing heart disease are associated with lifestyle. Of these, the World Health Organisation (WHO) lists an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol as the ones linked to the biggest risk.

Why do I need specialist travel insurance for heart disease?

Even if your condition is under control and you feel well, it’s important to remember that heart disease can be unpredictable. Part of the joy of travel is being introduced to new places and experiences, but when you have heart disease, it is vital to take account of the impact this could potentially have on your health.

This is where heart disease travel insurance comes in. A travel insurance policy for heart disease should cover all of the conditions that relate to your heart and circulation, so should your health take an unexpected turn for the worse while you’re away, you will be cushioned from the costs of your medical treatment. Health care around the world, particularly emergency treatment, often comes with very high costs attached.

Without Heart Disease insurance in place, an extended stay in an overseas hospital can be incredibly expensive. What’s more, without heart disease travel insurance in place, you would also have to fund alternative travel arrangements to get you home, if you were unable to travel back as you had planned.

You may have already found that many standard travel insurance companies refuse to offer cover due to your heart disease, but that doesn’t mean you have to travel uninsured. A medical travel insurance provider, like Free Spirit, is best-placed to offer travel insurance to people of any age who have pre-existing health conditions , such as heart disease.

Our travel insurance for heart disease includes the essential aspects of cover you need , such as your medication and medical aids should they get lost or damaged. One of the most important protections we offer is cancellation cover, which ensures you don’t lose out financially on flights and/or accommodation costs if you have to cancel your trip in the run-up to your departure date due to your health*.  Having this arranged nice and early should give you peace of mind as you look forward to your holiday.

* Cover is subject to the terms, conditions, and limits of the Insurance Policy .

How can I get heart disease travel insurance?

It’s easy to get a quote for heart disease travel insurance with us. If you’d prefer to apply online, our fully interactive website includes medical screening, or if you’d rather talk to someone over the phone, our friendly travel insurance specialists are available on 02392 419 080. 

Whatever way you prefer to apply for travel insurance for heart disease, we will need to ask you some questions about your conditions and the way in which these affect you to determine your premium. The questions you are asked may vary depending on your personal circumstances, but some of the questions you may expect to be asked include:

• Have you ever had a heart bypass, an angioplasty, or a coronary stent?
• Have you ever been a smoker?
• How many (if any) heart attacks have you had?
• Do you suffer from atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)?
• Can you always walk 200yds on the flat with no chest pain or tightness or breathlessness?

We like to do things thoroughly at Free Spirit, so we may well have other questions to ask. This just helps us ensure you get the right travel insurance for your heart disease. Please try to give us as much information about your heart disease as possible, so that we can make sure you’re properly covered for your upcoming trip.

If you’d like to know more about our heart disease insurance, or have any questions whilst getting a quote on our website, please don’t hesitate to call us. For a wealth of extra information, you can also take a look at our guide to travelling with heart conditions . Or, if you have a specific query, you can ask the Free Spirit Team , our resident expert in medical travel insurance.

Heart disease travel tips

Living with a heart condition can be challenging but enjoying a relaxing holiday can help – regardless of whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have been living with it for some time.

Here are some useful tips to help you travel safely with heart disease:

1. Choose your destination wisely

Think carefully about where you are going and what you are likely to do when you get there. A trip to Athens, for example, may involve lots of uphill walking and narrow steps, which can place unnecessary stress on your heart. Similarly, it might be best to avoid destinations that are very hot or very cold, or at a high altitude (over 2,000m).

Consider public transport as well – the easier it is to get around, the less strenuous walking you have to do. This is particularly important in warmer climes, where the heat really can sap your energy.

It’s imperative to think about healthcare provisions, and whether you’ll have easy access to professional help in the event of a medical emergency. Some smaller islands may not have accident and emergency facilities, for example. A little research should help you locate nearby pharmacies and doctors’ surgeries that stock any relevant medication, have a look in advance, and make a list to take with you so that you have the information to hand.

Speaking of medication…

2. Organise your medication in advance

it’s crucial that you sort out any medicines you need for your heart disease before going away for any length of time. If you are entitled to free prescription services here in the UK, the same is unlikely to be true in another country, so make sure you’re stocked up on everything you need before you leave. When you speak to your doctor ahead of booking your trip, ask them to prescribe more than enough medication for the time spent away, and keep a list of prescribed medicines – including all known names – in case you need more in an emergency.

Depending on where you’re headed, you may also need extra permissions to take your heart disease medicine with you overseas. Some countries have very strict rules about the medications they permit visitors to carry, and even some commonly prescribed medicines can be restricted. Our blog about taking medicine on holiday with you summarises the advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and it is also a good idea to speak to your doctor about this.

It’s also a good idea to split your supply of heart disease medication across your luggage, just in case one of your bags was to go missing. Finally, if your heart disease travel insurance provider has a 24-hour medical emergency helpline number we recommend you put it into your mobile phone and make a note of it somewhere before you travel. Couple this with your policy product name and reference, so that it is all ready to hand should you need it – even if your phone breaks or runs out of charge!

3. Long haul flights

Most people with heart disease are able to fly without any trouble, but it’s certainly worth talking to your doctor about it– especially if you’re flying long haul. There are a few precautions you’ll need to take if you’ve been fitted with a pacemaker or ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) as well. Airport security will need to be made aware, and you’ll be required to take the appropriate documentation.

You may also need to tell your airline ahead of time if you need to take any liquid medicines of over 100ml on board with you. Call them in plenty of time before your departure and they will be able to advise you.

The risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may also be higher if you have heart disease, so be sure to invest in compression socks and move regularly during your journey. A quick walk once every hour is recommended, and make sure to drink plenty of water.

Don’t forget, you may be able to get extra help at the airport if you need it, including help transporting your luggage and/or early boarding.

4. Arranging the right travel cover

Having travel insurance for heart disease in place is an essential part of your pre-holiday preparations. If you’d like to know more about the heart disease travel insurance Free Spirit can provide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch , or apply online now.

We’re here to help

If you’d like to know more about our heart disease travel insurance, or have any questions whilst getting a quote on our website, head to our frequently asked questions page or get in touch with our friendly customer services team by calling 02392 419 080.

For further details of the cover we provide, take the time to read our insurance policy . You can also view our summary of cover by clicking here .

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I use Free Spirit for both my business and personal travel and have always found its service to be of a very high standard.

Can we say a huge thank you to your team for the very efficient and prompt way in which you handled our claim, it all went hassle free due to your hel…

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I was very pleased with the service, the lady was most helpful and very pleasant and I felt very at ease with all the questions. I have now passed on …

My Mum was diagnosed with cancer in February of this year, and recently it has been diagnosed as terminal. My parents wanted one last holiday abroad t…

Credit where it is due, in this day and age where positive comments are rarely expressed, Eileen really is an excellent advertisement for your company…

I have left two testimonials already but feel it important and necessary to add a third. I have a pre-existing medical condition, which other insuranc…

My husband and I would like to add our appreciation of your very efficient and speedy responses to our communication with you. We are impressed with y…

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Can I get Travel Insurance if I have a Heart Condition?

Confused about how a pre-existing heart condition will affect travel insurance? We provide you with the information you need to know before buying a policy.

• Buying Travel Insurance With Heart Condition

In many cases, a pre-existing heart condition won’t stop you from wanting to travel and experience different cultures, activities, foods and landscapes. 

While your heart condition might not factor too much into your travel plans (besides ensuring any medication you need is organised and packed, and you avoid activities your doctor has advised you to avoid) it can be important when it comes to whether or not you can be covered for a heart condition under your travel insurance policy.

Any heart condition, even those you may think are 'fixed' by a pacemaker or that are 'under control' with regular prescription medication, are still likely to be considered a pre-existing medical condition by your travel insurer.

However, this doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn’t purchase travel insurance, or that travel insurance won’t provide you with cover?

If you’re looking for travel insurance to protect you while you’re travelling but have a heart condition, you probably have a lot of questions.

Below we address some of the most frequently asked questions by travellers with heart problems, so that finding and understanding travel insurance is simple!

What do travel insurers consider a heart condition?

If you exhibit the symptoms of a heart condition, or have been diagnosed or treated for a heart condition at any time in your life, a travel insurer may consider you as having a ‘ pre-existing medical condition ’.

However, it really depends on the travel insurer .

When considering a travel insurer for your trip, you should always read their PDS to find out what they can and can’t cover, and whether or not they can provide cover for travellers with heart conditions.

Common heart conditions include:

• Coronary heart disease – the build-up of plaque inside the arteries.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg.
• Atrial fibrillation – a type of arrhythmia, where the heart does not beat in a regular rhythm.
• Cardiomyopathy – where the heart muscle becomes inflamed and enlarged.
• Angina – chest pain caused by lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart.
• Prior operations – including valve replacement, stent procedures, and any other heart surgery.

Some important points to consider when travelling with a heart condition

The below is general advice only and is not intended to replace the advice from a medical practitioner or health care professional.

It’s important to be aware of your health and safety when travelling, especially if you have a pre-existing heart condition.

Before you travel, you may wish to consider some of the following:

The effects of high altitude

Travelling to countries at high altitude can result in heart complications. Lower oxygen levels can lead to breathlessness and an angina attack, for example.

Plane travel complications

Most popular travel destinations are a long flight away from Australia! Before you fly, visit your doctor to ensure you’re fit to travel by air. Some travellers with heart conditions are at higher risk of suffering from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) so research the exercises that can help prevent DVT in advance.

Bring extra medication and heart monitoring equipment

See your doctor before you travel to get advice about your prescription medications and going through airport security. They may advise you to inform a security guard if you have a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), so that you can opt for a pat-down or to be searched with a hand-held detector.

Also, be sure to pack information about your condition and enough medication for your trip, including an extra week or two just in case you are delayed in returning home.

Planning ahead is key

Consider your trip and the activities you want to do during your holiday. It’s important to be sure you don’t overexert yourself or engage in activities your doctor has advised against, or deviate from any diet you’re on to care for your heart health.

And remember to disclose any heart conditions when buying travel insurance, just in case!

Will travel insurers cover me if I have a heart condition?

Generally, you’ll find travel insurance companies will fall into one of three main categories when it comes to overseas medical cover for pre-existing heart problems:

1) Cover for pre-existing heart conditions.

Some travel insurers may offer cover for pre-existing heart conditions. If your heart condition is not automatically covered by your travel insurer , you may be able to add cover for your heart condition by completing a medical screening . If your travel insurer approves cover for your heart condition, you may need to pay  an additional premium for your heart condition to be listed on your certificate of insurance as a covered condition .

2) No cover for your heart condition, but other overseas medical emergencies are still covered.

If you look at the insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), they may not include cover for heart conditions at all, even at the cost of an additional premium. However, this may not exclude you from medical cover completely. You may still be offered cover for emergencies unrelated to your heart condition such as breaking a bone in a bad fall or traffic accident, getting a severe stomach bug, or picking up an unexpected illness.

3) Your heart condition may exclude you from overseas medical cover altogether.

In some cases, a travel insurer may not provide you with ANY medical cover because of a pre-existing heart condition, even if you have had corrective surgery or that heart condition is being managed by medication. One common example is if you are taking Warfarin or a similar blood-thinning medication after a heart surgery. Some travel insurers will not provide you with medical cover due to the perceived risk.

To find out if your travel insurer will provide you with overseas medical cover, you should read their PDS,  which will outline the pre-existing medical conditions that can be covered either automatically or by paying an extra premium, the steps that you need to take to see whether your condition can be covered under your policy, and which medical conditions are excluded.

You can never predict what will happen when you travel, so it’s important to review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully to make sure you have the cover you require for your travels is in place for any unexpected complications or emergencies overseas.

Do I have to do a medical assessment every time?

Whenever you take out a travel insurance policy, you have a duty of disclosure to respond to any questions that the travel insurer asks honestly, accurately and completely, about your existing medical conditions , so you will most likely need to complete a new medical assessment with updated accurate and complete medical information each time you purchase a policy.

Every travel insurer is different, so contact your travel insurer or read their PDS to see what they need for you to do to include cover for your heart condition under the policy.

How much cover can I expect to get for a heart condition?

The level of cover you receive can vary between insurers. Overseas medical cover for heart conditions may be unlimited, or capped to a certain amount depending on the condition or other factors such as age.

Be sure to read the insurers Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to find out the amount of cover you’ll receive for a heart-related medical emergency.

What happens if I don’t declare a heart condition to my travel insurer?

If your pre-existing medical condition isn't automatically covered and you don’t declare it if the travel insurer requires you to, it is unlikely that you'll be covered for any claims arising from or related to that condition.

Some travel insurers may require you to declare any new medical conditions, or any changes to your existing medical conditions that occur after you purchase your policy and up until your trip departure date.

It won’t matter how ‘unexpected’ having a problem related to the pre-existing medical condition may seem when you purchase the policy.

Any pre-existing medical condition is an added risk taken on by the insurer, so if you haven’t declared a heart condition, the insurer may decide to refuse to provide financial cover if you need to see a doctor, go to hospital or be medically evacuated from your holiday destination due to a heart problem.

Overseas treatment and hospitalisation in any country can result in your holiday costing hundreds or thousands of dollars more than expected.

If you’re in a country such as the United States or Japan, healthcare can be extremely expensive. You don’t want to be slapped with a huge medical bill when you could have had a travel insurance in place to cover you, so it’s important to research your policy options before making a purchase, and declare any pre-existing medical conditions that you are required to declare in accordance with the travel insurance policy requirements .

What if I had a heart attack, heart valve replacement or stroke before, but I’ve recovered?

If you’ve had a heart attack or other complication with your heart before, you should still declare it to your travel insurer. It’s important to make sure you’ll have cover in place in case you experience any complications or if your pre-existing medical condition re-emerges while overseas.

Different travel insurers have different time periods for pre-existing medical conditions. Some require you to disclose medical conditions that you’ve had for 5 years up until your policy purchase date, while others may require you to disclose any medical condition you’ve had even longer .

At Fast Cover, travellers are required to declare medical conditions that they have had within the 3 years prior to their policy purchase date, and for any changes in health, including new medical conditions, from the date of policy purchase up until the date of departure.

If you’ve had a heart attack or other complication with your heart, on blood thinning medication following a stroke or heart attack, or had a valve replacement within the time period as set by your travel insurer you may need to declare it to your travel insurer in accordance with their policy requirements, even if you’ve recovered, or your condition is under control . It’s important to know if you will have some protection , just in case you experience any complications or if your pre-existing medical condition re-emerges while overseas.

How do you declare a pre-existing heart condition?

Travel insurers offer different methods for disclosing pre-existing medical conditions. They may require you to complete an online medical screening or over the phone.

Once you’ve completed the medical screening,  your insurer will let you know if you can be covered by one of their policies, as well as how much this might cost.

You should also be made aware of any exclusions that apply to your policy and your level of excess which is the amount you’ll have to pay first before the insurance provides financial assistance.

Fast Cover offers medical screening for your existing medical conditions. Check out their Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for your medical conditions including definitions of what Fast Cover considers to be a medical condition that needs to be declared, as well as General Exclusions that may apply.

If I’m a senior, will travel insurance for heart conditions cost more?

The cost of travel insurance usually goes up the older you get. This is generally because senior travellers are at higher risk of becoming sick or injured.

Seniors may also have more pre-existing conditions than younger travellers which means purchasing travel insurance which provides cover for a pre-existing heart condition is likely to be more expensive for a senior.

When you purchase travel insurance for senior travellers , be sure to check if there are any age restrictions for particular activities such as skiing or snow sports , and if there’s an age restriction on the cover for your pre-existing medical conditions.

What sort of questions are in a medical assessment for a heart condition?

The type of questions asked will vary between travel insurers, and may include:

• What is the medical term of your heart condition?
• What treatment or prescription medications are you currently taking?
• Have you had any recent changes to your treatment or medication?
• When did you last see a medical practitioner?
• Have you undergone treatment in hospital?
• Are you waiting to have your condition or treatment reviewed?

These questions will allow the travel insurer to assess your existing medical condition, decide whether to offer cover for your existing medical condition or decline cover , and calculate the additional premium that you may have to pay for your heart condition to be covered.

All pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lung or chest infections can also affect your heart health and are important to disclose as well.

So, whether you have angina, are taking any prescription medications (including aspirin) following a heart attack or stroke, have had a heart valve replaced or any other heart condition, always remember to declare it to your travel insurer if they require you to do so in accordance with policy requirements . .

Always remember to read through the insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully. This will mean you know what you are and aren’t covered for before purchasing a policy.

Please note any advice is general advice only and does not take into account the customer’s individual needs, objectives or financial situation. Please consider the PDS prior to purchasing a policy to decide whether this product is right for you. Policies are subject to eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, exclusions, sub-limits and limits.

About the author

Laura is a content writer at Fast Cover. Fuelled by a passion for adventure travel and inspired to learn more about the world, she specialises in writing about travel insurance and health topics which are published across numerous travel forums and websites.

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Heart Condition Travel Insurance

Compare cover from as little as £9.81*.

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.

Travel insurance for people with heart conditions

We understand how difficult it can be to find competitive travel insurance when you have a heart condition - so we’re making it easier for you!

With Medical Travel Compared , you can compare fast quotes for specialist travel insurance for pre-existing heart conditions in a matter of minutes.

Compare heart condition insurance policies across over 30 well-known and reliable insurance providers to find excellent cover at an amazing value. You’ll find suitable travel insurance for someone with a heart condition in no time - meaning you can get back to planning your holiday!

There are a number of things to consider when travelling with a heart condition, so it’s important to ensure you have the right travel insurance to give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your holiday.

Specialist Medical Cover

We only work with providers who specialise in covering pre-existing conditions.

No discounts. No pressure. We’ll always show you the best prices from providers.

Do I need to declare my heart condition for holiday insurance?

It’s important to declare any heart conditions in order to compare quotes for the specialist cover you need.

This applies if:

• You’ve recently been diagnosed and are receiving treatment for a heart condition
• You’ve EVER been diagnosed with a heart condition in the past
• You’ve had a heart attack - but since made a full recovery

Getting a quote with us is easy and quick. 

During the process, it’s likely that you will need to answer some questions based on the specific nature of your condition.

The answers you provide enable us to gather more of an understanding of your medical history. This helps us to provide you with quotes from a range of different providers that you can compare.

What heart conditions can be covered with my travel insurance?

When it comes to heart-related conditions, there are many different types, and you may be wondering if yours will be covered.

The good news is that we can help you find cover for a variety of different heart conditions including: 

• Angioplasty
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Cardiomyopathy
• High Blood Pressure

You can even get travel insurance after a heart attack or travel insurance for heart failure for a lower price than you might imagine, and travelling after a heart event doesn’t need to be off-limits with the right cover and considerations.

Top tips for travelling if you've had a heart attack

Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.

Having a heart attack is understandably a scary experience but advances in treatment mean that survival rates have never been better. Having a heart attack certainly shouldn't stop you from enjoying holidays in the future, but you do need to take extra precautions.

• You need to declare any heart condition to your travel insurance company before you book if you've ever been diagnosed with a heart condition, including a heart attack, even if you've made a full recovery. If you don't declare this, it could invalidate your travel insurance.
• How soon you can fly after you've had a heart attack depends on your risk of another heart attack – never fly unless you've been advised by your medical team that it’s safe to do so.
• If you're at very low risk of a second heart attack, you may be able to fly in as little as three days after your heart attack, according to the NHS. However, this is unusual: you'd usually need to be under 65 years old, have no complications, have no history of a heart attack in the past and have no further treatment planned.
• If you're over 65 or have had a heart attack in the past, your doctor may advise you can fly 7 - 10 days after, so as long as you don't have any symptoms or complications and no more treatment is planned. As before, always check with your medical team that it's safe for you to fly.
• If you've had a heart attack, you should not drive for at least four weeks: this may be longer if you haven't made a full recovery. If you're planning to hire a car while abroad, check the regulations in the country you're travelling to before you get behind the wheel.
• Many people with heart attacks have high blood pressure. This shouldn't stop you from flying as long as your blood pressure is controlled.
• If you've had a heart attack, you'll almost certainly be taking several medications to reduce your risks – including medicine to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and prevent your blood from clotting too easily. Order your medication from your GP well in advance, to make sure you have enough for the whole length of your holiday. Ideally, take a few days' extra supply in case of problems or delays while you're abroad.
• Carry your medication with you in your hand luggage, along with a copy of your repeat prescription and a letter from your doctor if needed. Check you know the rules about carrying medicines in your hand luggage and taking medication abroad .
• Hot weather can put extra strain on your heart. Do make sure you avoid getting dehydrated and over-exposed in the sun. Remember that the sun's rays are usually at their most powerful between 11am and 3pm local time.
• If you've had a recent heart attack or heart surgery, avoid destinations at very high altitudes: air is thinner especially at more than 2,000 metres above sea level and this can increase the risk of angina or shortness of breath.
• Oxygen levels in aeroplane cabins are a little lower than at home, but if you can walk up a couple of flights of stairs without too much shortness of breath, you shouldn't have problems.
• Exercise is actively encouraged for those who have had a heart attack, as it can greatly strengthen your heart and lungs as well as help reduce the risk of another heart attack. However, do avoid strenuous exercise you're not used to, especially in hot weather, while you're on holiday and don't suddenly start doing a lot of exercise if you're not used to it: after a heart attack, you need to build up gradually.

What is covered by heart condition travel insurance?

This usually varies from provider to provider. 

Broadly speaking - any given travel insurance policy will include the following: 

• Cancellation
• Medical expenses & repatriation
• Theft/loss of belongings
• Personal accident

Cover will also depend on the nature of your condition (as per the answers you provide during the medical screening process, see below) and also whether you choose to select any optional extras. 

The level of cover will depend on the type of heart condition you have. Providers will also take into account your medical history.

There are also optional extras you can add to your policy such as gadget cover . 

And, depending on the type of holiday you’ve booked and activities listed on your itinerary - you might also be interested in cruise holiday cover or even winter sports cover .

Travel insurance for children with heart conditions

Under 16s with heart conditions can also be covered. 

You just need to declare their pre-existing conditions on their behalf when comparing quotes for travel insurance. 

This applies to single trip and annual trip policies - as well as family and group travel insurance policies.

Compare quotes from specialist heart condition insurance providers

Using our online quote comparison tool couldn’t be easier. The process literally takes minutes - so you can get back to the more exciting part of planning your holiday before you know it!

First of all, we need to know a few personal details about you and your trip. Then you can select the type of cover you need - whether that's single trip cover or an annual multi-trip policy (don’t forget to add optional extras if you need them!).

Then, you can declare your heart condition(s) including details on whether you have a pacemaker before comparing quotes. It’s as straightforward as that.

And, because we work with over 30 specialist medical travel insurance providers, you won’t struggle for choice!

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Frequently Asked Questions

It is simple and quick to do! After you've told us about your trip details and answered some medical history questions you can add your pre-existing conditions, one by one, for each traveller. You'll only need to enter your details once, it's all online and there's no need to call, or provide details of your conditions in writing.

Once you've declared all your relevant pre-existing medical conditions, we'll only show you quotes based on the conditions you have told us about.

* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has declared Atrial Fibrillation and is travelling to France for 7 nights. The price is correct as of July 2024. Prices may vary according to your individual requirements.

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Don't just take our word for it...

If we're unable to help you find cover for a pre-existing medical condition , the Money Helper Directory has listings of companies that may be able to assist you. Further details can be found on their  website.

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More than 2 million people in the UK live with arrhythmias or heart problems. Here are some tips which you may find useful when travelling with Arrhythmia.

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The Insurance Specialists for Snowbirds, Boomers and Seniors

Why you should consider a travel insurance policy with no stability period.

Regardless of whether you're in perfect health or have pre-existing medical conditions, your best travel insurance option could be a Personalized plan that  covers pre-existing medical conditions with NO stability period .

Many Canadian travellers with unstable health or medical conditions are under the false impression that their travel medical insurance policy will cover them for treatment costs related to their pre-existing medical conditions while travelling.

However, the reality is that standard travel insurance policies won’t cover you for pre-existing medical conditions unless you meet the policy’s “stability” requirements. Any medical conditions that are not “stable” will be excluded from coverage under your policy.

This can have serious implications for travellers, as failing to meet your policy’s stability clause requirements is the second most common reason for having a travel insurance claim rejected 1 .

This problem is particularly common among Canadian snowbirds, boomers and seniors who often have one or more pre-existing medical conditions.

It’s essential for you to understand how stability clauses work, determine whether or not you meet the stability requirements of your policy and what your options are if you don’t meet these requirements.

Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions – regardless of whether they are stable or not - should strongly consider protecting themselves with a "Personalized" travel insurance policy that provides coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with NO stability period requirement .

What if I Don’t Have Any Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?

Even if you’re in perfect health and don’t have any pre-existing conditions, Personalized travel medical insurance plans can still offer significant benefits over Standard travel insurance plans. For example, the premiums for healthy travellers can often be lower under a Personalized plan than they would be under a Standard plan, and the medical questionnaires for Personalized plans are usually much shorter, simpler and faster to complete.

What is a Stability Clause & How Does it Work?

Most Standard travel medical insurance policies contain what is commonly referred to as a “stability” clause.

These clauses require your pre-existing medical conditions to be “stable” for a defined period of time prior to the date you leave on your trip. The stability period varies from policy to policy, but is often 90, 180 or even 365 days leading up to your departure date.

If there are any changes to one of your pre-existing medical conditions during the stability period, that condition will be excluded from coverage, meaning your policy will not cover any expenses you incur that are related to that condition while travelling.

Any Changes Means ANY Changes…

Keep in mind that any changes really means any changes, including some you may not think of such as starting or stopping a medication, increasing or decreasing the dose of a medication or seeing a doctor or receiving diagnostic testing related to a potentially new medical condition, even if that condition has not yet been diagnosed.

Beware of related medical conditions…

It’s also very important to be aware that under a stability clause, any medical treatment for a condition related to an excluded condition would also be excluded from coverage. To better illustrate this point, take the following example:

Let’s say Bob has diabetes that doesn’t meet his policy’s stability terms. In this case, it’s quite clear that Bob would not be covered for any treatment related to his diabetes while travelling.

What you may be surprised to learn is that Bob would also not be covered for any condition related to his diabetes. For example, if Bob was to have a heart attack while travelling, and the heart attack could be linked to having been caused by Bob’s diabetes, it is quite possible that treatment for his heart attack would also not be covered by his insurance, even though most people would consider diabetes and a heart attack to be two different and unrelated medical conditions.

The Bottom Line

If you are purchasing a Standard travel insurance policy with a stability clause, make sure you meet the terms of that stability clause or you could run into a serious problem if you need to make a claim.

What if I Don’t Meet the Stability Clause Requirements?

Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions who don’t meet stability clause requirements are essentially left with three options:

• Wait until your medical conditions are “stable” before purchasing your policy . This is often not a realistic solution, as it would likely prevent you from travelling during your preferred travel dates. There’s also a good chance your medical conditions may never meet the stability requirements.
• Purchase the policy knowing your non-stable medical conditions and any related conditions won’t be covered . This is a very risky strategy and not advisable, as you’d be exposing yourself and your family to serious financial risk if you require treatment while travelling and need to file a claim. Note that other medical emergencies unrelated to your existing conditions (such as a fall or food poisoning) could be covered.
• Find a Personalized policy that provides coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with NO stability clause requirement . While these policies are not as well known or widely available as Standard travel insurance policies, they can be a real lifesaver and are often the best option for many Canadian snowbirds, seniors, boomers and other travellers with pre-existing medical conditions.

Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions with NO Stability Period

There’s good news for travellers who either don’t meet the stability clause requirements commonly found in Standard travel insurance policies or simply want the peace of mind of not having to worry about stability clauses altogether.

For individuals who fall into these categories, there’s a  lesser-known type of “Personalized” travel insurance policy that completely does away with the dreaded “stability” clause and provides coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with NO stability period requiremen t .

How Are These Policies Different?

Standard travel medical insurance policies determine your coverage eligibility and premiums by grouping you into categories with other travellers whose health and age may be different than yours.

On the other hand “Personalized” travel medical insurance policies base your coverage eligibility and premiums exclusively on your personal medical history and characteristics.

As a result, Personalized travel insurance plans are better able to accurately determine your coverage risk and the appropriate premiums based on those risks. This personal element also allows them to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions with no stability period requirement.

You can learn more about Snowbird Advisor Insurance’s personalized travel medical insurance plans here .

How Do I Qualify?

In order to qualify for a Personalized policy, you’ll need to fully and accurately disclose all of your pre-existing medical conditions at the time you apply, and as long as your conditions are eligible for coverage, you’ll be covered for all pre-existing medical conditions, regardless of how long they have been stable for.

Keep in mind that just like standard insurance policies, some medical conditions may make you ineligible for coverage.

And just like a Standard policy, you’ll still be required to inform your insurance provider of any changes to your health that occur after you purchase your policy and prior to any departure date.

Do I Need to Complete a Medical Questionnaire?

If you’re applying for a Personalized plan with no stability requirement, the only thing you will need to do is disclose any pre-existing medical conditions you have and answer any follow-up questions related to those conditions. This is usually a much faster and simpler process than completing the long and sometimes confusing medical questionnaires that are required for Standard plans. Be sure to disclose all of your medical conditions, regardless of whether you think they may be relevant or not.

How Much Do Personalized Policies Cost?

While you might think a Personalized policy with the added benefits it offers would be more expensive than a Standard policy, that’s often not the case.

In many situations, the cost of a Personalized policy is the same or less than a standard policy because Personalized policies are tailored specifically to your conditions and risks - so you won’t be grouped into a category with other travellers who may have more serious or numerous medical conditions.

Of course, there are situations when a Personalized policy will cost more than a Standard policy, but this is often due to certain pre-existing medical conditions being covered that would otherwise be excluded from coverage under a Standard policy.

Advantages of Personalized Travel Medical Insurance Plans

In summary, here are the main advantages provided by Personalized policies:

• No Stability Requirement for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, Personalized policies will cover you for those conditions without having to meet any stability period requirements.
• Potentially Lower Premiums than Standard Policies: If you’re a healthy traveller, in many cases your premiums can actually be lower under a Personalized plan than they would be under a Standard plan.
• Faster, Simpler Medical Questionnaire: Unlike the long, sometimes confusing medical questionnaires you need to fill out when applying for a Standard travel insurance policy, Personalized plans have much simpler, faster, and easier medical questionnaires that only require you to disclose your pre-existing medical conditions and any follow-up questions about those conditions.

1 KPMG survey of Canadian insurance providers commissioned by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) (November 2014)

Disclaimer:  The material provided in the Snowbird Advisor Insurance Learning Centre is for informational purposes only and does NOT constitute insurance, legal, financial or other advice, and should not be relied on as such. If you require such advice, you should speak with a qualified professional to assist you.

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Travelling after a coronary angioplasty

Article contents.

Joe McGuire

5 April 2024 | Updated 8 April 2024 | 5 minute read

If you have a heart condition and are planning on travelling abroad, it’s important that you’re covered by a travel insurance policy that meets all your needs.

So to help you travel without any stress and enjoy your trip to the fullest, we’ve put together this in-depth guide to travelling after a coronary angioplasty. 

Do you need travel insurance following coronary angioplasty surgery?

Buying travel insurance means you’ll be financially protected if certain things go wrong on your trip.

That’s why it’s particularly important to have a policy in place – before you leave – to cover any potential medical costs.

For example, if you require treatment while you’re abroad, a travel insurance policy that covers your stent will help you avoid unexpected medical bills.

Typically, travellers with pre-existing medical conditions are more likely to fall ill while they’re travelling, so finding the right policy is very important.

Can I get travel insurance following coronary angioplasty surgery?

Yes. Anyone with a pre-existing heart condition or who has undergone any other heart-related surgery – like a coronary angioplasty – can get travel insurance.

Each insurer will have their own rules around what they cover, so you should always check whether the policy covers your specific condition, and what it will protect you for.

If you have a pre-existing heart condition and are looking to travel abroad, it’s important that you make sure:

• you’re cleared to travel by your doctor before you leave
• that you declare all your pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer

What should travel insurance cover for people with a stent?

Generally, a travel insurance policy should cover:

• emergency medical costs
• repatriation (meaning the costs involved in transporting you to your home country) if it’s medically necessary for you to return to the UK
• any lost, stolen or damaged medication
• costs if you need to cut your trip short or cancel it completely due to illness related to your heart condition or stent

Does my coronary angioplasty or stent mean I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Coronary angioplasty is a treatment that takes place after you have been diagnosed with a pre-existing medical condition relating to your heart.

We define a pre-existing medical condition as an illness or injury that:

• has been identified by a doctor
• is under investigation by a doctor
• is known to you before your policy starts or when you book a trip (whichever is later)

As a result, you would be considered to have a pre-existing medical condition if you’ve undergone coronary angioplasty surgery and had a stent fitted.

Do I have to declare that I have had a coronary angioplasty/a stent fitted when buying travel insurance?

Yes. During the screening process, you must tell your insurer that you’ve had a coronary angioplasty procedure and a stent fitted when buying your travel insurance policy.

By declaring these to your insurer, they can make sure your policy covers you for any potential problems relating to your stent so that you can avoid any unexpected medical bills.

If you don’t declare these to your insurer, they can refuse a claim which is in any way related with a pre-existing medical condition, or the insurer may not pay a claim in full.

What will my insurer ask during the screening process?

The purpose of the screening process is to make sure your insurer can provide you with a policy which covers all your needs while you’re abroad. It’s also completely confidential.

During the screening process, the questions your insurer will ask will cover:

• the medications you take for your heart condition
• whether you’ve recently been hospitalised with your condition
• if you have any associated health conditions

For travellers with heart conditions , or who have had undergone coronary angioplasty surgery, they may also ask you about:

• where in your body your stent was fitted
• if you’ve ever had a heart bypass
• if you’ve ever been a smoker
• when your angioplasty surgery was performed, or how long ago your stent was fitted
• if you’ve ever had any chest pains or chest tightness since your last procedure
• how many coronary stents you have

How much is travel insurance after a heart attack or coronary angioplasty surgery?

If you have a heart condition, the cost of your travel insurance might be higher.

The cost of your policy will vary depending on the severity of your condition, as well as any other health problems you may have.

Overall, the price of your policy will always depend on:

• where you’re going
• how long you’re going for
• what activities you have planned
• the nature of your pre-existing condition

What preparations should I make for travelling with a stent?

Before you travel, make sure to:

• have a check-up with your doctor to confirm that you’re fit to fly
• choose your destination carefully – avoid any locations that could worsen your heart condition’s symptoms (such as very hot, very cold, or high-altitude locations)
• check with your GP or pharmacist that your medication is a legal substance in the location you’re travelling to
• pack medication in both your cabin luggage and hand luggage in case either are lost, stolen or damaged

For your flight, it’s important to let security staff at the airport know if you have a heart device. The scanners shouldn’t affect your device if you walk through them at a reasonable pace, but airport staff will need be careful when scanning you with a handheld metal detector.

While scanning you, they should hold it at least 15cm away from your device and avoid sweeping it over you repeatedly or lingering over it for a while.

Your heart condition might also mean that you’re at a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while you fly, so be sure to wear compression socks and to move around regularly.

What do I need to pack when I travel with a stent?

While you’re travelling with a heart condition or stent, it’s recommended that you to pack:

• a valid Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) – this will allow you to access medical care and receive treatment while you’re travelling in Europe; read our guide on using the GHIC in Europe
• enough medication to last the entirety of your trip, as well as a few extra days’ worth just to be on the safe side
• a Device Identification Card, if you have a heart device fitted (such as a pacemaker), for doctors to refer to if you need treatment
• any recent medical letters, records of treatment you’ve received, and a copy of your electrocardiogram (ECG), so that doctors can have all the information they need if they have to treat you

Can I fly after having a heart attack or a stent fitted?

If you’ve had a heart attack, had a stent fitted, or have a heart condition, before you fly or travel abroad it’s generally recommended that you:

• wait for the period of time recommended by your doctor before travelling
• book a check-up with your GP
• have been advised that it is safe for you to fly by your doctor
• declared your condition and your doctor’s clearance for you to fly to your insurer

How soon can I fly after having a stent fitted?

Following coronary angioplasty surgery, you should be safe to fly two weeks after a successful procedure. If you experienced any complications during or after the surgery, you may have to wait longer.

Generally, it’s recommended to book a check-up with your doctor before you travel so that they can accurately check whether it’s suitable and safe for you to do so.

What should I do if I fall ill while I’m abroad?

If you fall ill while you’re abroad, you should contact the emergency services, go to the nearest hospital, or seek the medical help you need immediately.

You will also need to contact your insurer’s emergency service or helpline as soon as you can.

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Heart Disease Travel Insurance

At AllClear we believe that heart disease shouldn't stop you from travelling the world.

Travel Insurance for Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease travel insurance covers you if you have a heart condition and wish to travel with peace of mind. This type of insurance covers you for medical emergencies, helping to prevent unexpected medical bills and unnecessary complications that can arise on trips abroad.

Why do You Need Travel Insurance for Coronary Heart Disease?

As the specialists in medical travel insurance since 2000, we understand that it can be difficult to get the travel insurance you want and need if you have a heart disease. AllClear provides travel insurance for heart conditions including angina , atrial fibrillation and cardiac difficulties after a heart attack .

We provide cover to thousands of people with pre-existing medical conditions travelling to destinations all over the world and if you have had difficulty getting heart disease travel insurance in the past, we could help you. Our travel insurance for heart conditions …

SWIPE TO COMPARE POLICIES

* If you buy a policy which includes cancellation cover. / All these figures are per person and per trip.

Tips When Travelling After a Heart Attack

• Talk to your doctor (Source: NHS) about your trip and find out if they have any specific advice that you should follow while you’re on holiday. They have the best understanding of your heart condition , and they can let you know of any precautions you should – such as getting up from your seat at least every two hours to improve blood circulation.
• If you have an implanted cardiac defibrillator (Source: NHS) , you should request a hand search at security if possible. There have been no reports of ICD dysfunction caused by metal detectors, but researchers say there could be a theoretical risk.
• When you are on a special diet for your heart problems at home, try to follow your diet as much as possible on your trip. If you have heart issues, eating too much salt can increase your risk of symptoms – so avoid excessively salty foods while travelling.
• You will need to arrange medication for the duration of your trip, as well as extra supplies in case you are delayed or your medication is misplaced.
• If you experience heart symptoms, get emergency medical help right away. You will then need to contact the medical emergency assistance company as detailed in your medical travel insurance policy. You can find the correct telephone number to call for your policy here: Medical Emergency contact numbers.
• If there are any changes to your health before you travel, including any new medication, please contact our Customer Care Team on  01708 339029 and we’ll be happy to update your cover.

Simple 3 step quote process

1. call us or click a quote button on our site, 2. complete our simple medical screening process, 3. get your quotes, our 5 star rating on trustpilot, what our customers say, important information on heart disease travel insurance, conditions related to heart disease.

Heart disease is a general term related to a number of conditions. It can also be called coronary heart disease and ischemic heart disease . The main symptoms of heart disease are angina , heart attack and heart failure .

You want to ensure you’re properly covered, does our medical screening process allow you to provide details of your heart disease history?

With many years of experience handling very complicated medical conditions, AllClear has designed a straight forward online medical screening process. This process is a simple question and answer format and provides us with all the information we need to offer you a quote for your heart disease.  Once completed you can review the quotes and cover levels available and decide the premium you wish to pay.

What will affect the premium?

With holiday insurance for heart conditions , premiums are calculated based on the answers you provide throughout the medical screening process. Many factors are taken into consideration including the length of your holiday, where you are going, your age and medical conditions.

What happens if your medical situation changes after you’ve bought your policy?

If you develop a new medical condition or an existing one changes once you’ve purchased your travel insurance, you will still be able to amend your policy. Please ready our change in state of health article for more information. You will need to notify us at the earliest opportunity and in particular before you book or commence your trip –  just call our Customer Care Team and they will be happy to make any adjustments. Please note that in some cases an additional premium may be applied to your policy to make these changes. Please check your policy wording as providers may vary .  

Article References:

• NHS: Traveling with a heart condition
• NHS: When can I fly after a heart attack?

An annual multi-trip policy allows you to travel multiple times within a year. The maximum duration of these trips varies between policies. However, it is usually between 31 to 45 days. If you need a longer trip duration or, if you only plan on travelling once in the year, then a  single trip travel insurance policy  may be right for you.

We calculate the premiums you’re displayed using multiple factors. These include  age , trip duration ,  destination  and  pre-existing medical conditions .

  Quote now

Written by: Nick Heady Last Updated: 19 June 2024

† Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in the Travel Insurance Company category that have over 70,000 reviews as of January 2024. AllClear Gold Plus achieved a Which? Best Buy.

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Travel and Heart Disease

Travel precautions help people with heart disease

Traveling to a faraway place doesn’t need to be off limits because you have heart disease  or are a caretaker of someone who has had a cardiac event like heart attack  or stroke . A few simple precautions can help make your trip smooth.

Here are some travel tips:

• Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Ensure that they are clearly labeled with your full name, health care professional’s name, generic and brand name and exact dosage.
• Bring copies of all written prescriptions. Leave a copy of your prescriptions at home with a friend or relative in case you lose your copy or need an emergency refill. Download this medication chart (PDF)  to keep track of your medicines.
• Ask your health care professional for a note if you use controlled substances, or injectable medicines, such as EpiPens and insulin. Tell your health care professional about your travel. Let your cardiologist or internist know where you’ll be. Your health care professional might know medical professionals or reputable heart institutes in the area you’re visiting if help is needed.
• Comprehensive travel insurance usually includes medical evacuation travel insurance. Coverage varies by plan, destination and duration of trip, so shop around. But the average cost is about $200, which is a small investment if it can cover tens of thousands dollars of potential medical expenses.
• Some health care professionals recommend taking a copy of your pertinent medical records with you while traveling.

High altitudes, exotic spots

Oxygen availability declines at higher altitudes, which can place unique stressors on the cardiovascular system. As such, patients who are at risk of or who have established cardiovascular disease may be at an increased risk of adverse events when staying at mountainous locations. However, these risks may be minimized by appropriate pretravel assessments and planning through shared decision‐making between patients and their managing health care professionals.

Talk to your health care team before your trip to understand what you should do to prepare. You may wish to gradually move up the mountain and acclimate at lower elevations before moving to the higher altitudes. People with coronary artery disease and angina should anticipate that reduced oxygen levels may increase angina. Your heart has to work harder, especially if you already have blockage. Watch out for shortness of breath or other symptoms that could indicate you’re tipping from a stable to an unstable state.

Be mindful of your fluid consumption and sodium (salt)  intake if you have cardiomyopathy  or a history of heart failure . A balanced fluid intake is important in these conditions.

If you’re traveling to a country where certain vaccines are needed to guard against disease, it’s not likely the immunization will affect your heart. The bigger concern may be consistent access to quality medical care.

Consider selecting destinations in parts of the world that both interest you and have many options for health care you may need while you are visiting.

Long distance precautions

Sitting immobile on long plane flights or car, train or bus rides can slightly increase a normal person’s risk of blood clots in the legs, but associated medical issues usually contribute to it. If someone has peripheral artery disease (PAD)  or a history of heart failure, the clot risk increases. Recent surgery, older age and catheters in a large vein may also increase your risk of blood clots. Getting up and walking around when possible is recommended for long flights, just be sure the seatbelt light is not on when you do so. Stopping to take a quick break during long car rides may help as well.

Tell your health care professional about your travel plans to get the best advice on what precautions, if any, you may need to take. For example, some people might need compression stockings or additional oxygen. Others might need to watch fluids closely or avoid alcohol. And some may not be able to fly.

Last Reviewed: Jan 16, 2024

Travel insurance for pre-existing heart conditions

Here’s how to get travel insurance if you have a heart condition or had prior operations..

In this guide

How travel insurance providers cover heart conditions

What heart conditions are covered by travel insurance, how does travel insurance cover pre-existing heart conditions, how can i get covered, why do i need to declare my heart condition, how do i declare pre-existing heart conditions, what questions will i be asked about my heart condition when i declare it, will my credit card travel insurance cover my heart condition, frequently asked questions about insurance for heart conditions.

Destinations

Heart conditions are treated just like any other pre-existing medical condition when it comes to travel insurance. Most insurers will ask you to take an online medical questionnaire where you can disclose the details of your condition. After you complete the questionnaire, the insurer will let you know if it can offer you cover.

Note: This information was last updated August 2024

Heart-related conditions can include forms of heart disease and problems with blood vessels. Here are a few common heart conditions that can be covered by travel insurance brands in Australia.

Angioplasty or stents

Although angioplasty is considered to be minimally invasive, if you've undergone angioplasty or had a stent fitted in your heart, insurers will class this as a pre-existing medical condition. You'll need to inform the insurer about it when you take out a policy.

You'll need to complete an assessment of your condition and provide the following information:

• Reasons for the angioplasty procedure
• Date of the procedure
• Information about your lifestyle and how you're looking after your heart

Atrial fibrillation

Some insurers will completely exclude atrial fibrillation. However, there are travel insurance brands that provide cover on a case-by-case basis. You'll need to complete a medical assessment so the insurer can better understand your situation.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy affects approximately 1 in 500 Australians. There are several types of cardiomyopathy, the most common being a dilated or enlarged heart, which can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, fainting and even chest pains.

Since there are sevveral types, the insurer assesses cardiomyopathy on a case-by-case basis when you apply for cover.

You'll need to complete a medical assessment so the insurer can better understand your situation.

Heart attacks

If you have suffered a heart attack, you can still get travel insurance cover. As with any pre-existing medical condition, you must declare it to your insurer at the time you take out the policy. Whether the insurer covers you and how much it costs will depend on the following factors:

• Severity of the heart attack
• Date of your heart attack
• What surgical measures have been taken to prevent it from recurring

If you do receive cover, you'll likely have to pay an extra premium and deal with special conditions, limitations and excesses on your policy.

Do I need to disclose palpitations?

If you've sought treatment for heart palpitations but fail to disclose this to your insurance provider, insurers will consider your heart palpitations a pre-existing heart-related condition even though it may not seem serious.

Any heart conditions that arise on your trip as a result of palpitations will not be covered without disclosure.

Can I get travel insurance if I have an ICD fitted?

Many travel insurance providers will not provide overseas cover of expenses relating to an automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD or AICD), and policies will specifically list it as a pre-existing condition.

This means standard policies may not cover any medical costs directly, or indirectly, related to the ICD, such as any other heart conditions that may be connected.

To get overseas medical cover for ICDs, you can do either of the following:

• Make special arrangements with an insurer to get cover for this pre-existing condition at extra cost
• Find an insurer that does not exclude ICDs in their policy, such as InsureAndGo

To make arrangements for ICD cover, you need to customise your policy around it at extra cost. This may let you get more flexibility, but can also cost more than finding a policy which includes cover for it by default.

It may be difficult to find travel insurance providers that cover ICDs. InsureAndGo is one of the few options available and has a range of benefits for travellers with pre-existing conditions such as options for unlimited medical cover, and does not require testing requirements prior to getting cover.

• Automatically included - Often available for common conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol with little to no extra charge.
• Pay extra for cover - For more complex conditions, you'll need to do an online medical assessment so that the insurer can calculate a premium based on your individual condition.

Travel insurers need to assess your premiums accurately

It is vital that you declare your heart condition when you take out a policy as it is considered a pre-existing condition. An insurer's aim is to provide you with cover for an agreed level of risk and without disclosure of a pre-existing heart condition, the provider is taking on extra risk that they did not agree to. After you declare certain conditions, insurers will assess whether they will cover you as well as decide on the appropriate premiums if they do agree to cover you.

Insurers can void your cover if you do not declare

Although it seems like a shortcut to lowering your premiums, if you don’t declare your heart condition to your insurer and you have an incident on your holiday that is related to the heart condition, then you will not be covered for any medical treatment or hospital expenses incurred because of it. If you're in a country such as Japan or America, where healthcare is extremely expensive, then you'll be facing a huge bill that you'll have to pay yourself.

Example: Matt's $2,400 check-up

Having booked his long-awaited European holiday, Matt was counting down the days until he would depart on his dream getaway. A couple of days before his departure, Matt visited his doctor for a heart check-up after noticing an irregular heartbeat.

The condition was deemed non-life-threatening, and although Matt was still awaiting test results, he headed off overseas without a care in the world. However, after a week in Amsterdam, Matt became hospitalised with hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure).

Although Matt was sure these expenses would be covered by his travel insurance, when he phoned his insurance company, he received a nasty shock. Since he had the check-up before his departure, he was classified as having a pre-existing condition which he did not tell his insurer about. The medical and hospital costs he incurred overseas were excluded from cover, leaving Matt severely out of pocket and completely broke.

Costs Matt faced

• $2,000 in hospital stay expenses
• $400 in medical treatment

Out-of-pocket costs

Cover received from his travel insurance provider.

Matt did not disclose his heart condition once he found out about it.

* This is a fictional, but realistic, example.

This shows the importance of reading the fine print of an insurance policy's PDS to make sure you’re fully aware of what is and isn’t covered. It also acts as a crucial reminder of how vital it is that you notify your insurer of any changes to your circumstances–no matter how insignificant they may seem.

Insurers offer different methods for you to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions and heart problems you may have. Depending on the insurer, you may have to do one or more of the following:

• Undergo a phone assessment to answer questions about your health.
• Fill out an online questionnaire.
• Fill out and post or email a hard-copy form.
• Undergo a face-to-face medical assessment.

Once you’ve provided all the relevant information concerning your health, your insurer will provide a written notice to let you know whether you will be offered cover. You’ll also be notified of any special conditions or exclusions that may apply to your policy and of any premiums you are required to pay before cover will take effect.

Typically, you'll be asked for the following information:

• Medications you take to treat your heart condition
• If you've changed your medication recently (e.g. in the last 90 days)
• If you've recently seen a medical practitioner (e.g. in the last 90 days)
• If you've recently been admitted or undergone treatment in a hospital (e.g. in the last 12 months)
• If you're currently awaiting a medical review or treatment

Many high-end credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance. If you pay for your trip with your card, you will usually be able to enjoy some form of travel insurance cover when you begin your getaway.

While this free cover is undoubtedly a bonus, as a general rule, most credit card travel insurance policies will automatically exclude cover for pre-existing medical conditions, so chances are your heart problem won’t be covered. Credit card travel insurance is usually quite limited when compared with normal travel insurance, including much lower limits on cover for overseas medical expenses, so shopping around for standalone travel insurance is crucial.

I had a heart bypass a few months ago; can I get cover?

Yes, provided you declared the bypass operation when taking out your policy and were proclaimed fit for travel by your doctor and approved by the insurer.

I recently had a coronary angioplasty procedure. Can I still get suitable cover for an overseas holiday?

Possibly. This is a condition many insurers would consider covering, but such things are determined on a case-by-case basis.

I had a coronary stent fitted last year, which I forgot to mention when getting an insurance quote. Will this affect my quote?

Yes, you may need to pay an additional premium.

I have angina. Can I get cover for a 6-month cruise?

Normally, yes, but if you are aged 75 or over, some insurers will only cover you for around half that period.

What if I have another episode or require hospitalisation after I get cover, but before I travel?

Generally, travel policies will exclude from cover conditions for which treatment has been recently sought. If there's any change in your condition after you purchase cover but before you depart, it's important to check in with your insurer to confirm whether you're still covered and to see if there will be any change to your premium.

I'm taking medication for high blood pressure. What happens if I lose it while I'm overseas?

It shouldn't be a problem. Most travel insurance policies provide cover for replacement of lost medications while on holiday, but check your policy before you go just to be sure.

Richard Laycock

Richard Laycock is Finder’s insights editor after spending the last five years writing and editing articles about insurance. His musings can be found across the web including on MoneyMag, Yahoo Finance and Travel Weekly. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University and The Missouri School of Journalism and has a Tier 1 Certification in General Advice for Life Insurance. See full bio

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16 Responses

Is it possible to get a travel insurance policy to cover a pre-existing medical condition only, or is cover only possibly available as part of a comprehensive policy?

Thanks for getting in touch. If I am understanding you correctly, you will need to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Depending on your circumstances, it may be able to cover you.

Regards, Gary

Can you explain the benefits/cons to the Reciprocal Health Care Agreements provided to Aust travellers going overseas including their limitations

Thanks for reaching out to Finder!

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements are designed to provide essential medical services to the citizens of each country. This includes cover for the cost of medical treatment for:

Visitors from RHCA countries who travel to Australia Australians who visit a country that has an RHCA with Australia

Without the cover provided by an RHCA, you would have to meet any overseas medical expenses you incur out of your own pocket. This could potentially see you facing hospital bills of several thousands of dollars, so the RHCA is an important tool to help overseas visitors to and from Australia and agreement countries access the medical treatment they need. Check our guide to Reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) , to know what you’re covered for when you visit the country as listed.

Hope this helps,

Best, Nikki

I have just been diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis, don’t have to use any medication. Can I get travel insurance?

Thanks for reaching out to finder!

Yes, even with your heart condition, you may still get a travel insurance. You have to declare your condition and undergo medical assessment though. You may contact any of the insurer listed above.

Additionally, InsureandGo does not automatically exclude any conditions and claims to assess all conditions on a case-by-case basis. Similarly, Allclear considers all pre-existing conditions. Also, CoverMore may be able to cover you for an additional premium, subject to the outcome of a short medical assessment.

I hope this information helps.

Cheers, Liezl

My son is 34 years old and had valve cleaned blood infection MRSA. The doctor from the cardio clinic said he is fine to travel. Do I have to pay more insurance and how much more extra would it be?

Thanks for reaching out to us.

There are some insurers that will cover people with heart conditions. You’re actually on the correct page on where you can compare your options and where you can get a quote.

– Undergo a phone assessment to answer questions about your health. – Fill out an online questionnaire. – Fill out and post or email a hard-copy form. – Undergo a face-to-face medical assessment.

On the table above, you may click on your preferred insurance to see more details then you may click on the green ‘Get Quote’ button to request a quote from them.

Best regards, Rench

My 78 year old husband has a gallstone diagnosed 1 year ago but not blocking bile duct so would he be covered if taking a cruise to a pacific Islands. Thanks

Thank you for your inquiry. I’m sorry to hear about the medical condition of your husband.

Your husband can still get travel insurance when taking the cruise. You just have to disclose the pre-existing condition or medical problems to your chosen insurer prior to purchasing the cover.

If you wish to learn more, we have a guide that talks about travel insurance for gallstones . On that page, you should learn more about how to get travel insurance when you have gallstones or a history of it.

On the same page, you should also be able to see a form that you can fill out. Provide the necessary details and select the “Get my quote” button. You would then be presented with a list of travel insurance brands based on your given details. Compare them based on various details and select the “Go to site” button (if available) to be redirected safely to your chosen insurer’s website. You can then proceed with the purchase of your policy or get in touch with their representative for further enquiries.

Moreover, there might be two providers that you might be interested in:

– InsureandGo do not automatically exclude any conditions and claim to assess all conditions on a case-by-case basis. – CoverMore may be able to cover you for an additional premium, subject to the outcome of a short medical assessment.

While looking for insurers, please make sure you read the terms and conditions of the policy to learn more and know if it is the right policy for you or not.

I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

Have a wonderful day! Cheers,

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