coronary angioplasty and flying (fitness to fly)
Last edited 08/2019
| Condition | Lay explanation | Restriction/guidance |
| Elective PCI - uncomplicated | You have had the heart arteries treated with a balloon and stent and there are no complications | Fly after 2 days |
Complicated coronary angioplasty - if the procedure was complicated or the pre-PCI state was poor, then the patient requires re-evaluation and should wait one to two weeks before flying
| Condition | Functional status | Lay explanation | Restriction/guidance |
| Post STEMI and NSTEMI |
Low risk Age <65, first event, successful reperfusion, EF>45%,no complications,no planned investigations or interventions |
If you have had a heart attack but you are less than 65yrs, the blocked artery has been opened, the heart pump is not badly damaged and no further tests or treatment are planned | Fly after 3 days |
|
Medium risk EF >40%,no symptoms of heart failure,no evidence of inducible ischemia or arrhythmia,no planned investigations or interventions |
If you have had a heart attack your heart pump is quite good and you have no symptoms of breathlessness or chest pain and no other tests or treatments are planned | Fly after 10 days | |
|
High risk EF <40%,signs and symptoms of heart failure, those pending further investigation, revascularisation or device therapy |
If you have had a heart attack, the heart pump is significantly damaged and you have symptoms of breathlessness or you are waiting for further tests or treatment | Defer travel until stable |
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.
-
Medical guidelines for air travel', Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, October 1996; 67 (10); 11.