Hi Friends!
I just got back from a work related trip to Rochester N.Y., and seem to be having some of my pre-pacemaker symptoms. When I arrived in Rochester( and during the flight), I started having symptoms of palpitations and dizziness. These symptoms got a little better as the week went on ; although at night they kept me awake or startled me awake. The day I flew home I had overwhelming symptoms of dizziness, palpitations and heart rate readings of 59 and 60 ( my pacemaker is set at low rate of 60, but the guy from St. Jude recently my some adjustments to combat some fatigue issues about 2 weeks ago) and still dont feel well 2 days post return flight. Before flying to Rochester I had none of the dizzy palpitation symptoms. Also, before my flight to Rochester, I showed my pacemaker card, and was given a pat down- the security person was very understanding. Before my flight back, I showed my card, and the security guy in Rochester rudely said" you still have to take off your shoes". I said " I know". He then said rudely " stand over there". I thought I would get a pat down, but instead I was directed to another scanner, and got scanned. I am wondering how much affect the high altitude of the plane had on me, and if anyone else has suffered the same symptoms. I hate flying anyway; this was only my second experience flying; and am not sure if I will fly again. I also wondered if there may be some thing my cardio could give me to offset these symptoms if I ever fly again. Any thoughts, advice?

 

 

I don't know what the heart condition is that causes you to need a PM. With my low EF I just do not get enough oxygen at altitude. So do not feel well. Most aircraft are presureized to about 6000 ft, so that could be your problem. I cannot travel to high altitude. In may we went to Seattle by the southern route ( El Paso, Tucson, San diego) etc. The max altitude that way is about 4500 ft.Any of the more northern routes are from 7500 ft to 10,000 ft. Even at 45ooft I feel better with oxygen, so have a small oxygen generator that works in the car, I just turn it on when I get above 4000 ft. We try to plan the trip so that we we do stop overnight at over 4000 ft.Hope this helps

Thomas

 

Ment to say we do NOT stop overnight at avove 4000ft. sorry

Thomas

 

Most airport personnel are very polite but some of them need an attitude adjustment.

The machine you went through, did they have you hold your arms in the air and it went in a circle around you? That's whole body imaging that some airports are starting to test, and it's perfectly safe for pm's. Regular metal detectors are not good for us, tho some members walk through them. They are testing the new technology so hopefully most airports will get it over the next few years.

As Thomas said, the plane cabin is pressurized so most people don't feel it but some do.

The best thing I've found to prevent dizziness for me when flying is to stay hydrated. Flying dehydrates you so you have to drink even more than you would on the ground. The first thing I do after going through security is buy the biggest bottle of water I can get and as soon as I land I buy another one.