Travel Insurance for Endocarditis

What is endocarditis?

Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, most often affecting the heart valves. It’s usually caused by bacteria getting into the bloodstream and settling in the heart. It’s uncommon, but serious, and it’s more likely in people who already have damaged or replacement valves, or certain other heart conditions.

Treatment normally means several weeks of antibiotics, often given through a drip in hospital, and some people need surgery to repair or replace a valve afterwards. The NHS endocarditis page covers symptoms and treatment.

Why do I need to declare endocarditis for travel insurance?

Endocarditis is a pre-existing medical condition, even after the infection has cleared. We ask about it because it can leave lasting damage to the heart valves, and people who’ve had it once are more likely to get it again. A recurrence abroad could mean weeks of antibiotics in hospital and possibly valve surgery.

If it’s left off your policy and you need treatment linked to it, the claim may be refused or reduced.

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 after endocarditis?

You may well be able to. Recent treatment counts for a lot here. Someone still finishing antibiotics, or waiting for valve surgery, is in a different position from someone who had endocarditis several years ago and has been well since, and that affects whether cover can be offered.

What we’ll ask about your endocarditis

Declaring your endocarditis online doesn’t take long. The screening asks about when you had it and whether you’re still being treated. After that, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions you have.

Once you’ve finished the medical declaration, you’ll go through to the quote page. If your endocarditis and your other conditions can be covered, you’ll see a list of quotes, and the premium shown includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we can’t provide cover, you’ll know before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Heart infections need careful follow-up. If you start a fresh course of treatment, you have a hospital stay, you’re referred to a heart surgeon, or you receive a new diagnosis between now and departure, you must let us know. We may have to review your cover and refer your medical details to the underwriters, and sometimes we may not be able to proceed with cover. If changes in your medical go unreported, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can endocarditis travel insurance cover?

When it’s been declared and accepted, a related emergency abroad can be covered. For example, if you develop a high temperature and breathlessness in Greece and are admitted for tests and treatment, the emergency medical costs can be covered, as well as repatriation if it’s medically needed. Everything is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits, and excess.

If you have to call the trip off because the infection returns or surgery is brought forward, cancellation cover may refund non-refundable costs.

It doesn’t cover planned treatment abroad, or anything linked to a condition that wasn’t declared.

Will endocarditis affect the cost of travel insurance?

The price may be affected by endocarditis, and our online medical screening result is what decides that. Along the way, you could be asked how it was treated and how well your heart has been since, including whether any related problems are controlled. As with any policy, age, destination and trip length matter too. See the full price first, then decide.

Single trip or annual cover after endocarditis

Single trip cover is an easy choice for one holiday. If you travel several times a year, annual travel insurance could suit you, depending on the screening result.

Travelling after endocarditis: practical tips

These are general tips and aren’t part of your cover.

Give yourself time to recover. Many people feel tired for weeks after a long hospital stay with IV antibiotics. A first trip that’s short and close to home is often easier than a long-haul adventure.

Look after your mouth. Good dental health is one of the main ways to lower the risk of endocarditis returning, so book a check-up before you go rather than risk toothache abroad. Pack your usual toothbrush and floss.

Don’t ignore a fever. If you get a high temperature, sweats or unusual tiredness while away, see a doctor promptly and tell them you’ve had endocarditis. People who have had it are usually advised to mention this whenever they’re seen for an infection.

Avoid piercings, tattoos and anything else that breaks the skin while on holiday. Take care with cuts and insect bites, and keep wounds clean.

If you had a valve replaced and now take warfarin, plan your INR checks around the trip, and our heart valve disease page may also help. Check what vaccines your destination needs on TravelHealthPro.

Finally, carry a note of your history. A short letter from your heart team saying you’ve had endocarditis, which valve was affected and what treatment you had will help any doctor abroad act quickly if you’re unwell.

How to get a quote

Add your trip details, answer the questions about endocarditis and any other conditions, and compare the cover levels. Nothing’s charged until you choose.

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.