Don’t be in a hurry to “act” even if you are “heart-beating”. Patients with “heart failure” should pay attention to these aspects when traveling!

Recently, accompanied by his family, 70-year-old Grandpa Yao came to the Third Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of Hunan Second People's Hospital for treatment. Grandpa Yao often felt chest tightness and shortness of breath after activities, paroxysmal dyspnea at night, unable to lie flat, and accompanied by sweating, coughing and sputum. After a detailed interview and physical examination by Xing Zuzhong, director of the Third Department of Cardiovascular Medicine , Grandpa Yao was diagnosed with heart failure.

It is understood that Grandpa Yao had been treated in the hospital many times before, and was recently treated in the department for "heart failure". After being discharged from the hospital, Grandpa Yao plans to travel to Kunming, Yunnan with his family during the National Day holiday.

However, soon after arriving in Kunming, Grandpa Yao developed chest tightness, shortness of breath and other discomfort symptoms, and immediately went to a local hospital for treatment and got some relief. Later, he flew back to Changsha accompanied by his family, but he still felt chest tightness and shortness of breath after daily activities.

Regarding Grandpa Yao’s situation, Director Xing Zuzhong pointed out that heart failure refers to a syndrome in which the heart’s pumping function is impaired due to various reasons and the cardiac output cannot meet the basic metabolic needs of the body’s tissues. It is a serious manifestation or late stage of various heart diseases, and the mortality and re-hospitalization rates remain high .

In my country, the main causes of heart failure are coronary heart disease and hypertension, and the clinical manifestations are dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention. Among the inducing factors, respiratory tract infection is the most common, and arrhythmia, overwork, strenuous exercise, and emotional excitement can also induce heart failure.

Director Xing Zuzhong further reminded that for elderly people with cardiovascular diseases, it is best to have a full-body check-up before traveling and consult a doctor whether their physical condition is suitable for traveling. When choosing a travel destination, factors such as climate, air pollution, altitude, season, distance and time should be considered.

During travel, patients should pay attention to work and rest, ensure adequate sleep, strictly follow the doctor's advice on medication, follow the principle of low-salt, low-fat, easily digestible diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, quit smoking, and limit alcohol. At the same time, pay attention to keeping warm and prevent colds and respiratory infections. According to their own condition, patients can do appropriate physical exercise, but should avoid strenuous exercise and emotional excitement. If symptoms of heart failure occur, seek medical treatment immediately.

Through active symptomatic treatments such as heart protection, diuresis, circulation improvement and oxygen inhalation, Grandpa Yao's current symptoms have improved significantly. This medical experience also reminds the majority of cardiovascular disease patients to be cautious when planning to travel, make adequate preparations and preventive measures to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Qi Jiawei, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hunan Second People's Hospital

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(Edited by YH)