A travel kit should contain your medications, important documentation, and other essentials that you need to keep with you while you’re in transit.
Medications
These should always be in your carry-on bag, and it’s recommended that you carry prescription meds in their original containers, especially for international travel. Bring enough to last the entire trip and then some, in case you run into delays.
“Many HCM patients are on medications like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to slow the heart rate and reduce the force of contractions, or diuretics to manage fluid,” says Dr. Kos. “Missing even a single dose can lead to a rapid return of symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or palpitations.”
Be aware that it may be difficult to obtain certain drugs if you forget them or run out. “Some of the medications, such as cardiac myosin inhibitors, come from specialty pharmacies and are not available at a local pharmacy,” says Patrycja Galazka, MD, a cardiologist and co-director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee. “If you lose or forget this medication, make sure to call or message your clinic right away so medication can be delivered quickly.”
Documents
Have with you in writing:
A summary of your condition, including whether you’ve experienced an irregular heartbeat, severe obstruction, or advanced heart failure symptoms, and whether you have any kind of implantable devices, such as a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
A list of all medications you take, dosing information, and drug allergies
Emergency contact information, including your cardiologist
Copies of your prescriptions
The device card, if you have an ICD
“A copy of your baseline ECG can also be helpful to doctors taking care of you,” says Victoria Parikh, MD, an associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford Medicine in California. “It is also helpful for your travel companions to know about your condition and (be able to) communicate about your HCM diagnosis to doctors in a new location.” She recommends wearing a medical alert bracelet if you’re traveling alone.
Infection Prevention
Travel can make anyone more likely to get sick by disrupting your sleep schedule and exposing you to new germs, unfamiliar foods, crowds, and other stressors.And when you have HCM, you’re at higher risk of serious complications from illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. To lower your chances of getting an infection on the road, stock your travel kit with hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and masks. Carry fever reducers in case you do get sick.
Monitoring Devices
Your doctor may have you checking your blood pressure every few days to keep hypertension under control. If so, don’t forget to pack a portable blood pressure monitor. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows medical devices on airplanes, but if your monitor has a lithium battery, you’ll need to keep it in your carry-on rather than checked baggage.
Snacks and Drinks
Packing your own snacks has several benefits: You choose what you want to eat, you can eat healthier, and you generally save money. “Prepare ahead of time,” says Giana DiMaria, RD, an instructor of medicine at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York. “Pack healthy snacks that are shelf stable for travel. Nuts and seeds, for example, are lean plant proteins, contain fiber, and have a long shelf life.”
It’s easy to get dehydrated while you’re traveling, which is dangerous with HCM. Pack plenty of water, or keep a refillable bottle with you.
