Travel Insurance for Angina

What is angina?

Angina is chest pain caused by the heart muscle not getting enough blood. It often feels like a tightness, heaviness or dull ache in the chest that can spread to the arms, neck, jaw or back, and it usually comes on with exertion, cold weather or stress. It’s one of the heart conditions people most often ask us about, and it is usually a sign of coronary heart disease, where the arteries supplying the heart have narrowed.

Doctors separate stable angina, where attacks follow a pattern and settle with rest or a GTN spray, from unstable angina, which comes on without warning or at rest and needs urgent treatment. Most people with stable angina take daily medicines to reduce attacks and protect the heart, and some go on to have a stent or bypass surgery. The NHS angina page explains both types.

Why do I need to declare angina for travel insurance?

Angina is a pre-existing medical condition, and heart conditions are looked at with particular care. It points to narrowed arteries, so there’s a higher chance of chest pain needing assessment while you’re away, and in some cases a heart attack. Cardiac care abroad is among the most expensive kinds of treatment there is.

If angina isn’t on your policy and you need help for a heart problem, the claim could be refused or settled for far less.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with angina?

Yes, in many cases. People with stable angina that follows a predictable pattern are often able to get cover after screening. It can be harder where attacks have become more frequent recently, where there’s been a recent admission, or where you’re waiting for an angiogram, stent or surgery.

What we’ll ask about your angina

The medical screening is online and simple to complete. For your angina, it asks about how often you get attacks and the medication you take. When you’ve finished with this condition, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

With the medical declaration complete, you’ll go through to the quote page. A list of quotes is shown if your angina and any other conditions are coverable, and the premium quoted includes the cost of covering your medical. If we can’t offer cover, you’ll find that out before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Angina can change in pattern. If your attacks become more frequent, you start a new medicine, you make a trip to A&E, or you’re referred for an angiogram before you travel, you must let us know. We may need to review your cover or refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and occasionally we may not be able to proceed with cover. Any change in your medical you don’t tell us about could mean a future claim is affected or denied.

What can angina travel insurance cover?

With angina accepted on your policy, a heart emergency abroad can be covered like any other medical emergency. If you develop chest pain on a cruise in the Caribbean and need to be taken ashore to hospital, emergency medical treatment can be covered, and so can repatriation if you need medical help to get home. All of this is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Should your angina worsen before you go, and your doctor tells you not to travel, you may be able to claim back non-refundable costs under cancellation cover.

Planned heart procedures abroad won’t be covered, and nor will anything linked to a condition you didn’t declare.

Will angina affect the cost of travel insurance?

Cover with angina can cost more, and our online medical screening is what works out the difference. Be ready for questions about the way your angina is treated and how well it’s controlled. Age, the length of the trip and where in the world you’re going also count towards the premium. Nothing is final until you’ve seen the price and decided it suits you.

Single trip or annual cover with angina

If you’re going away once, single trip cover is the easy choice. For two or more trips a year, look at annual multi-trip cover. Whether that’s offered depends on your screening result.

Travelling with angina: practical tips

These general tips may help you travel more comfortably. They aren’t part of your insurance.

Keep your GTN spray on you at all times, not in a suitcase in the hold or the hotel safe. Pack a spare, and check the expiry date before you leave.

Airports involve more walking and carrying than people expect. Booking airport assistance, using a trolley and allowing extra time can take a lot of strain off the day. If you’ve had recent changes to your angina, ask your GP or cardiologist whether flying is sensible, as airlines may also have their own requirements.

Think about the climate and terrain. Cold air, steep hills and high altitude can all bring on angina, and so can very hot, humid weather. Ski resorts and mountain towns need particular thought. Plan days with plenty of rest, and avoid heavy meals before exercise.

Carry a list of your medicines and a brief summary of your heart history. If you ever end up in a hospital abroad, that saves a lot of time. Our guide to travelling abroad with medication covers packing and paperwork.

Know your limit. If chest pain doesn’t ease with rest and your spray, or feels different from usual, treat it as a possible heart attack and call the local emergency number.

How to get a quote

Put in your trip details, answer the questions about angina and any other conditions, then choose your cover. You’ll see the price before buying.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Heart Pages

• Angina Travel Insurance
• Aortic Valve Disease Travel Insurance
• Arrhythmia Travel Insurance
• Atrial Fibrillation Travel Insurance
• Cardiomyopathy Travel Insurance
• Congenital Heart Disease Travel Insurance
• Coronary Heart Disease Travel Insurance
• Endocarditis Travel Insurance
• Heart Attack Travel Insurance
• Heart Conditions Travel Insurance
• Heart Failure Travel Insurance
• Heart Valve Disease Travel Insurance
• Pericarditis Travel Insurance
• Supraventricular Tachycardia Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.