Travel and pulmonary hypertension

The travel and pulmonary hypertension (PH) webinar is presented by Dr Helen Whitford, clinical consultant at the Alfred Hospital Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic who discusses what people living with PH need to consider when booking or undertaking travel, including how to prepare and store medications, oxygen and air travel.

Tegan Dunmall, who lives with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), will share her story of travelling across the world with 60kg of PAH medications in tow.

When planning travel, it is important to choose a climate that is suited to your condition. Avoid very hot and humid climates, especially if you have a permanent IV line.

Ensure the destination has accessible healthcare and that you can get travel insurance. Some countries may not be familiar with PH or its treatments. Some countries offer Medicare-equivalent healthcare, which can be beneficial if you need medical attention while traveling.

Vaccinations are crucial for travellers with PH. It is important to keep up to date with the flu vaccine annually and getting both types of pneumococcal vaccines (Prevenar and Pneumovax) to protect against pneumonia. Other routine vaccinations, such as hepatitis B and measles, should also be current. For those traveling to less common destinations, visiting a travel clinic for specific advice is recommended.
Travel insurance is essential, and it’s important to start the search early. Some companies may cover PH with certain conditions, and it is vital to be upfront about medical conditions to avoid issues with claims. Even if the policy has a high excess, it is still worth it for the coverage.

Managing medications while traveling is another critical aspect. You should stick to the usual medication schedule as much as possible and adjust gradually when changing time zones. Setting alarms can help remind you to take their medications. It is also important to carry at least an extra week or two of medication to cover any travel delays.