Traveling And Driving After A Heart Attack And Angioplasty / Bypass Surgery
Traveling
after your treatment and discharge for a Heart attack , it is possible to travel by train, tram, car or bus.
If public transport seems stressful, arranging alternatives for the first few weeks in order to avoid peak-hour traffic is an option. Make sure that you find a seat for yourself as well so you do not get tired fast.
Long trips tend to make you feel tired and chances of getting car sick are more than usual. Taking regular breaks can help. If you have had bypass surgery, placing a cushion, pillow or rolled-up towel between your chest and the seat belt may also help to reduce pressure on the wound while it heals.
Flying
checking with your medical expert about the possibility of traveling by plane can be done by even getting a medical certificate form filled by them. Ask the airline about any air travel requirements if you're unsure.
Travel Insurance
Understanding your heart condition is important to decide your travel insurance for local and overseas trips. Talk to your doctor before buying travel insurance.
You will need to answer a health questionnaire and this may require a medical assessment from a doctor.
Driving
A Heart Attack and H eart Surgery can affect your ability to drive over a short period of time.
Talk to your doctor regarding when you can start driving again. You will need their approval in order to do so. It may take longer for those who have undergone heart surgery and you will need to follow specific instructions. This could be within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the recovery time.
The following are the possible times you need to wait before you begin driving a private car again:
1. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery - at least 4 weeks
2. Heart attack (myocardial infarction) - at least 2 weeks
3. Coronary angioplasty and stent insertion - at least 2 days
If you feel anxious about driving, ease it back slowly. Do not drive alone and take routes you are aware of. Avoid peak hour traffic or long drives.
Heart Failure
Your chances to drive again after a heart failure depends on the symptoms you experience. If your symptoms are stable and it does not affect you or your ability to drive, then you may continue driving.
If you have symptoms, you could stop driving for at least one month. If you are unsure, discuss with your doctor for further advice.
You must stop driving for at least one month if your body shows symptoms. If you are not sure, then have a discussion with your doctor regarding the same. You should only start driving again when your doctor tells you it's safe.
Pacemaker Implant - Including Box Change
You can't drive for at least 1 week. You may continue to drive after that as long as you don't have another condition that might disqualify you.
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)
For group car and motorcycle licenses, the following restrictions apply:
1. You can't drive for one month if you had an ICD fitted, and you didn't have a cardiac arrest
2. If you have an arrhythmia that has caused you to faint, and your ICD appropriately shocks you, and if your treatment is changed by your cardiologist (such as an increase in anti-arrhythmic medications or an ablation) then you must stop driving for 6 months (providing you have no further episodes)
3. If you have an arrhythmia that has caused you to faint, And your ICD appropriately shocks you, but your cardiologist is unable to offer any changes to your treatment to try and prevent it happening again, (such as an increase in anti-arrhythmic medications or an ablation) you must stop driving for 2 years.
Those who have lorries and buses licenses cannot drive with an ICD fitted.
Vehicle Insurance
You may need to inform your insurer about your heart condition to gain coverage. They might not cover you if you start driving sooner than the recommended waiting time. Hence, always check with your insurance company.
Your Licence
By law, you must report a health condition that could affect your driving, including a heart attack. You need to report it as soon as it happens. To check what you need to do, contact the licensing agency in your state or territory.
A heart attack doesn't mean you will be stopped from driving. But the licensing agency may set some conditions or restrictions to make sure you can drive safely. For example, your licence might require that:
1. You obey minimum non-driving advisory periods
2. There is a satisfactory response to treatment
3. There are minimal symptoms that affect driving (chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness)
4. You see your doctor for a periodic review
5. There is minimal pain in your muscles and bones after bypass surgery.
Your doctor can make recommendations about a conditional license, but the transport agency will be making the final decision. It's your responsibility to comply with any conditions on your licence.
There are also different licensing conditions you need to meet. Contact your state or territory office for more information on that.
Driving Commercial Vehicles
If you drive a commercial vehicle (eg a truck or forklift), there are longer waiting times before you drive again. The suggested times are:
1. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery - at least three months
2. Heart attack (myocardial infarction) - at least four weeks
3. Coronary angioplasty and stent insertion - at least four weeks
4. There are also different licensing conditions you need to meet.
5. Contact your state or territory office for more information.
Medicines And Driving
Some medicines can affect your ability to drive. Discuss with your doctor about any side effects of your medicines. This is very important if you drive commercial vehicles. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how your medications may affect your ability to drive.
