If you're recovering from a heart condition, such as a heart attack or heart surgery, it's often best to wait until you’ve fully recovered before you travel.
Your GP or heart specialist can advise you on whether you're fit enough to travel by air.
Health experts advise preparing for a trip four to six weeks before you travel.
Your destination
When you book your holiday, think about how to make your trip as convenient as possible. Stay in accommodation that's easily accessible and close to any amenities.
Avoid destinations that are hilly, unless you've recovered enough and you're fit enough for potentially strenuous activity.
Avoid travelling to high altitudes (over 2,000 metres) as lower levels of oxygen can cause breathlessness or angina. Get advice from your doctor.
Avoid countries where there are extreme temperatures, either very hot or very cold, as this can put an added strain on your heart.
Find out how to get medical help (such as a local ambulance or doctor) at your destination.
Keep an up-to-date list of all your medication (including the generic names) and doses in your purse or wallet, just in case you lose any of them.
Take enough medicines to last you throughout your trip plus a few extra days.
Travel insurance
Take out travel insurance and check that it will cover your specific heart condition.
Declare all your past and present health conditions. Making a mistake or omission could result in a claim being refused.
Get advice from your doctor before you purchase an insurance policy. They can help you answer the medical questions about your health.
For travel in Europe, make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to reduced-cost and sometimes free medical treatment.
Take out travel insurance as well because an EHIC may not cover all the costs of your treatment. An EHIC doesn't cover the cost of being flown back to the UK.
See the British Heart Foundation website for more information on insurance if you have a heart condition. They also have a list of insurers recommended by people with a heart condition.
Air travel
See your doctor before you book your flight for advice on whether you're fit enough to travel by air.
If you have a heart condition or a history of heart disease, you may have an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Consider arranging support at the airport terminal, such as help with your luggage and early boarding onto the plane.
It's safe to use your glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray while you're on the plane.
Under current security restrictions, you cannot carry containers with liquids, gels or creams (including medication) that exceed 100ml in your hand luggage.
You can carry essential medicines of more than 100ml on board, but you’ll need prior approval from the airline and airport and a letter from your doctor or a prescription.
Pacemakers and ICDs
If you have a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), bring your device identification card with you.
Tell security staff that you have a pacemaker or ICD as it can set off the security metal detector alarm.
Ask to be hand searched by security staff or checked with a hand-held metal detector. The metal detector should not be placed directly over your device.