Travel Insurance for Cardiovascular Disease

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. It’s one of the broadest headings among blood and circulatory conditions, and it covers a lot of ground. Coronary heart disease, angina, heart attacks, strokes, mini-strokes and peripheral arterial disease all come under it, along with aortic disease.

Most CVD is linked to narrowing of the arteries, made more likely by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and inactivity. Some people have a single diagnosis; others have several connected ones. Treatment varies from tablets and lifestyle changes to stents and surgery. The NHS cardiovascular disease page sets out the main types.

Why do I need to declare cardiovascular disease for travel insurance?

Cardiovascular disease covers a wide range of heart and circulation problems, and each one counts as a pre-existing medical condition. We ask about them because they can lead to some of the most serious, and most expensive, emergencies abroad, from chest pain to a heart attack or stroke. Worsening symptoms before you leave can also mean calling the holiday off.

Anything that isn’t declared could leave a related claim refused or only partly paid.

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 cardiovascular disease?

Many people with CVD can get cover, and the medical screening decides what can be offered. Because CVD is so broad, the specifics matter. A heart attack last month will be viewed very differently from well-controlled angina, and recent procedures, hospital admissions, breathlessness at rest, or waiting for tests or surgery can all affect the outcome.

What we’ll ask about your cardiovascular disease

Our online medical screening is quick and straightforward. You’ll answer a handful of questions about your cardiovascular disease, covering the medication you take and any procedures or hospital stays you’ve had. Once this condition is done, carry on and declare any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

When the medical declaration is complete, you’ll move on to the quote page. Where your cardiovascular disease and any other conditions are coverable, a list of quotes appears, with the cost of covering your medical already built into the premium. If cover isn’t possible, you’ll find out before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Heart and circulation problems don’t always stay settled. If, before your trip, your tablets are changed, you’re admitted to hospital, you’re referred for tests, or you’re diagnosed with something new, you must let us know. It may mean reviewing your cover or referring your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. Not telling us about a change in your medical can lead to a future claim being affected or denied.

What can cardiovascular disease travel insurance cover?

Once your conditions are accepted, emergency medical treatment abroad can be covered if they cause problems on your trip. For example, if you had chest pain on a cruise around the Canary Islands and had to be taken ashore to hospital, the treatment can be covered, as can repatriation if you need medical support to travel home. Cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Cancellation cover may help if your condition worsens before you go and you can’t travel.

The policy won’t cover treatment planned in advance abroad, or anything connected to an undeclared condition.

Related heart and circulation conditions

If you know your specific diagnosis, these pages go into more detail: angina, heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and atherosclerosis. For a wider view, see our heart conditions page.

Will cardiovascular disease affect the cost of travel insurance?

It can do. Because CVD covers so many conditions, the effect on your premium is worked out through our online medical screening rather than a set rule. The questions may look at how your heart or circulation problem is treated and how well it’s controlled. Age, destination and trip length are part of every price. You see the price before buying.

Single trip or annual cover with cardiovascular disease

If you’re only going once, single trip cover is all you need. For frequent travellers, an annual policy may be available depending on your screening result.

Travelling with cardiovascular disease: practical tips

These tips are general and are not part of the insurance itself.

Plan for the heat. High temperatures put extra demand on the heart and can make blood pressure tablets and diuretics hit harder, leaving you dizzy or dehydrated. Drink regularly, rest in the shade and take it easy in the hottest part of the day.

Book help at the airport if walking distances or stairs leave you breathless. Airlines and airports offer assistance free of charge, but it works best when requested at least 48 hours ahead.

If you have a pacemaker or ICD, carry your device card and show it at security. Ask your cardiac team for a summary letter listing your diagnoses and medicines, which is invaluable if you need treatment from a doctor who doesn’t speak English.

Be wary of very high altitude, extreme cold and heavy exertion such as long hill walks. If you’ve had heart problems recently, ask your specialist what level of activity is sensible before you book excursions.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip details, then declare each of your heart or circulation conditions in the screening. You’ll see the price before you decide.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Circulatory Pages

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Travel Insurance
• Atherosclerosis Travel Insurance
• Blood Clots Travel Insurance
• Brain Aneurysm Travel Insurance
• Cardiovascular Disease Travel Insurance
• Deep Vein Thrombosis Travel Insurance
• Haemophilia Travel Insurance
• High Blood Pressure Travel Insurance
• High Cholesterol Travel Insurance
• Iron Deficiency Anaemia Travel Insurance
• Kawasaki Disease Travel Insurance
• Low Blood Pressure Travel Insurance
• Lymphoedema Travel Insurance
• Peripheral Vascular Disease Travel Insurance
• Pulmonary Embolism Travel Insurance
• Pulmonary Hypertension Travel Insurance
• Sickle Cell Disease Travel Insurance
• Stroke Travel Insurance
• Thalassaemia Travel Insurance
• Transient Ischaemic Attack Travel Insurance
• Varicose Veins Travel Insurance
• Vascular Dementia 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.