Talk to Your PH Care Provider
Notify your provider before any planned trips. You might need
additional authorization to ensure you have enough medication
in advance. Also, you might need to provide information to an
airline or durable medical equipment (DME) company to get the
oxygen devices you need for your trip.
Obtain a letter from your provider describing pulmonary
hypertension and your specic medical needs.
If you are traveling to (or through) a high-altitude area, you might
require supplemental oxygen. Keep in mind that travel to high
altitudes may make your PH symptoms worse.
Discuss with your health care provider hydration, diuretics and
dietary restrictions related to your planned activities and air travel,
which can cause your body to retain excess water.
Ensure you are up to date on all vaccinations and immunizations,
especially vaccines required for travel outside the United States.
A list can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) website at CDC.Gov/Travel.
Ask your provider about prescriptions for as-needed relief of
traveler’s diarrhea, motion sickness or nausea and vomiting.
Collect all important medical documents in a single place (folder,
binder, etc.), and always keep them with you during travel.
Consider sharing medically relevant information pertaining to
your travel plans with your caregiver or a travel companion.
Medication Considerations
Talk to your specialty pharmacy about getting enough medication
for the planned length of your trip, plus extra doses, in case of
travel delays. Also, be sure you have enough medication upon
your return home.
Be sure your medication list is updated and bring it with you
on your trip. Your specialty pharmacy can help ensure that it’s
accurate. Make sure you understand your medication schedule in
the time zones where you will be traveling and maintain it on your
trip.
Create an emergency plan in case of illness during your trip.
Include medication-specic info (i.e. Do not stop continuous
infusions under any circumstance.).
While on Your Trip
ALWAYS adhere to your medication regimen, and DO NOT
change your doses during your trip without a PH specialist’s
approval.
If you are in a high-altitude area and struggling to breathe, it is
important that you get back to sea level as soon as possible. If that
is not possible, go to the nearest hospital to get help.
In case of illness or hospitalization, immediately ask the
physician to notify your PH physician (make sure to have
the emergency contact number for your doctor and specialty
pharmacy.
Take all your medications and supplies with you when leaving
your hotel or cruise ship for an activity.
If you have an infusion line, avoid activities that may risk
dislodging your line. Also avoid activities that may increase the
blood pressure in your lungs. Examples include zip lining, cli
diving or swimming.
Rest when you need to rest, and don’t feel pressured to do every
activity that you may have had in mind. Your health must come
rst.
PH Care Team:
Phone Number:
Specialty Pharmacy:
Phone Number:
Preparing for
Travel Checklist
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If you are considering international travel, ensure that you have
enough medication for your entire trip and potential travel delays.
Additionally, research border crossing regulations and necessary
paperwork required to carry medications with you, such as a letter
from your doctor or a copy of a prescription.
If you are considering a cruise, ask the cruise line what medical
services are available on the ship. Research what medical care
is available at the stops along the way. In case of an emergency,
note your travel route and how much time there will be between
destinations in case you need to get to shore for medical care.
If you are on a continuous infusion medication, ask if the cruise
ship has medical personnel trained in placing IV catheters in case
of emergency or loss of use of the central line catheter.
Consider equipment needed or that may be helpful at your travel
destination, such as a wheelchair or scooter. Contact your local
durable medical equipment (DME) company to assist with the
rental of any equipment that you may need during your travel.
If you are planning a long road trip, consider:
Planning breaks for the bathroom, walking and resting.
Packing healthy (low sodium) snacks and enough water based
on recommendations from your PH care team.
Wearing compression socks.
Pack oxygen tanks in a safe manner to travel. Some people use
pool otation noodles or pillows to allow cushioning between
oxygen tanks in the trunk or back of the car.
Check with your insurance company for coverage options while
you are traveling. You might need out-of-network care, which
could require additional authorization. (e doctor at the facility
providing your care while you are traveling might not contract
with your health insurance company.)
Find PH centers close to your travel destination(s). Write their
contact information below. *
Things to Consider When Choosing Your Destination
*PHA oers a directory of PH-treating physicians that you can search for treatment centers by location. Visit PHAssociation.org/Patients/
DoctorsWhoTreatPH to search near your travel destination(s).
Making Reservations
Ask your airline, hotel, cruise line, etc. about their cancellation
policies and consider buying travel insurance to protect your
purchases and get the maximum-allowed refund in case an
emergency prevents you from going on your trip.
When booking a hotel stay, request a larger disability room to
accommodate extra equipment such as a wheelchair or oxygen.
ese usually are available for the same price as a standard room.
Remember to request that when you make your reservation and
NOT at check-in.
Request a refrigerator, freezer and/or ice packs in your room for
medications that need to be stored at a specic temperature.
Center #1:
Address:
Phone Number:
Provider Name:
Center #2:
Address:
Phone Number:
Provider Name:
Copyright © 2020 Pulmonary Hypertension Association
PREPARING FOR AIRLINE TRAVEL
If You Use Oxygen
Contact your airline(s) you will use as far in advance of your
trip as possible. Dierent airlines have dierent requirements for
traveling with portable oxygen including medical forms that must
be completed and requirements for the number of batteries you
can bring.
Contact your durable medical equipment (DME) company to
rent a portable oxygen concentrator and carry-on equipment and
to secure additional oxygen and/or equipment that you may need
at your destination.
Pack enough batteries and back-up batteries in your carry-
on luggage for 150% of the predicted length of your ight
(roundtrip). Batteries and back-up batteries must be in your carry-
on luggage. e Department of Transportation prohibits lithium
batteries in checked baggage.
Prior to Your Flight
Notify the airline ahead of time of walking restrictions to ensure
that strenuous activity can be avoided upon arrival. Ask the airline
in advance for a wheelchair to help you get to the gate.
Prepare to have all medications and medical supplies (aside from
empty oxygen tanks if applicable) that should be carried onto
the plane in their labeled prescription bottles, not checked with
baggage.
Ensure you plan ahead. Make all arrangements and pack in
advance so you can rest the day before your trip. en, you will
have more energy for traveling.
Day of Your Flight
Consider wearing compression stockings.
Follow the instructions that were provided by the airline to
expedite check-in and avoid having to wait in long lines. If you
need wheelchair assistance at the airport, be sure to tell the check-
in agents or remind them if you made advance arrangements.
Limit the amount of baggage that you will carry on by checking
bags. Have someone do the heavy lifting for your other items.
Maintain circulation and reduce swelling by limiting the amount
of time spent sitting on the plane without moving. Move your legs
and stand up and move around as you are able while on the ight.
Notes
Copyright © 2020 Pulmonary Hypertension Association
