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Cyanotic congenital heart disease and fitness to fly (flying)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Condition

Functional status

Lay explanation

Restriction/guidance

Cyanotic congenital heart disease

NYHA I&II

You have congenital heart disease with blue blood and get breathless on mild to moderate exertion but no recent (within 6 weeks) change of symptoms or medication

May require in-flight oxygen*

NYHA III

You have congentil heart disease with blue blood and get breathless on walking 20-100 yards/metres but no recent (within 6 weeks) change of symptoms or medication

Consider airport assistance and may require in flight oxygen advisable*

NYHA IV

You have conginital heart disease with blue blood and get breathless at rest and mainly bedbound but no recent (within 6 weeks) change of symptoms or medication

Advised not to fly without in flight oxygen and airport assistance available*

Note that these are only guidelines and each airline has its own regulations and medical standards.

* = consider at high risk of DVT/VTE (Deep vein thrombosis/Venous thromboemolism)

Reference:

  • British Heart Foundation (September 2010). Factfile - Fitness to fly for passengers with cardiovascular disease.

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