This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

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.

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.