heart failure and flying
Last reviewed 01/2018
| Condition | Lay explanation | Restriction/guidance |
| Acute heart failure | You have been in hospital or treated at home because of 'water in the lungs' which made you very breathless | Fly after 6 weeks if stabilised (see chronic heart failure) |
| Condition | Functional status | Lay explanation | Restriction/guidance |
| Chronic heart failure |
NYHA I&II |
You get breathless on mild to moderate exercise but no recent (within 6 weeks) change of symptoms or medication | No restriction |
|
NYHA III |
You get breathless on walking 20-100 yards/metres at your own pace but no recent (within 6 weeks) change of symptoms or medication | May require in flight oxygen | |
|
NYHA IV |
You are breathless at rest and mainly bedbound | Advised not to fly without in flight oxygen and medical assistanc |
Note that these are only guidelines and each airline has its own regulations and medical standards.
Reference:
- British Heart Foundation (September 2010). Factfile - Fitness to fly for passengers with cardiovascular disease.