Travel Insurance for Atherosclerosis

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is the gradual build-up of fatty material, known as plaque, inside the walls of the arteries. Over time the arteries narrow and stiffen, so less blood gets through. It’s the process behind most heart attacks and many strokes, and it sits at the root of a lot of the circulatory conditions people declare for travel insurance.

You may not notice anything for years. Symptoms depend on which arteries are affected: chest pain when the heart’s arteries narrow, leg pain on walking with peripheral vascular disease, or a stroke or mini-stroke if the arteries to the brain are involved. Treatment usually means lifestyle changes plus medicines such as statins, blood pressure tablets and aspirin or similar. The NHS atherosclerosis page has the background.

Why do I need to declare atherosclerosis for travel insurance?

Atherosclerosis counts as a pre-existing medical condition, and we ask about it because narrowed arteries can lead to angina, a heart attack or a stroke. Any of those abroad could mean emergency treatment and a flight home with medical support, while new symptoms before you go might mean the trip has to be cancelled.

If it isn’t declared, a claim linked to it, chest pain on holiday for example, could be turned down or paid only in part.

Can I get travel insurance with atherosclerosis?

Yes, in many cases. Whether cover is offered comes down to your screening result, which looks closely at where the narrowing is and what it has led to. Recent chest pain, a stent or bypass, a stroke or TIA, or waiting for an angiogram or other tests can all make a difference.

What we’ll ask about your atherosclerosis

Screening takes place online and is simple to do. You’re asked a few questions that are relevant to atherosclerosis, nothing complicated, and the result is shown straight after you answer the last one.

After you’ve been screened

Straight after the final question, your result is on screen. If atherosclerosis has been accepted, the quote says so and the premium shown already allows for it. And if it can’t be included, that shows up before you pay, not after.

Keeping us updated before you go

Health doesn’t stand still, so if something changes after you buy, such as a new diagnosis, a new tablet, a hospital visit or a referral to a cardiologist, let us know. Your cover may need to be looked at again. If a change isn’t reported, a claim linked to it could be affected.

What atherosclerosis travel insurance can cover

Once accepted, a medical emergency connected to atherosclerosis can be covered while you’re away. For instance, if you were taken to hospital in Malta with chest pain and needed an emergency stent, the cost of that care can be covered, as can repatriation if you need medical help to get home. Cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your condition worsens shortly before departure and you can’t go, cancellation cover may help recover non-refundable costs.

No policy will pay for a planned procedure abroad or for conditions left off the declaration.

Single trip or annual cover with atherosclerosis

One holiday this year? Single trip insurance will do. Several trips? Annual multi-trip cover may work out better, though it depends on your screening result.

Will atherosclerosis affect the cost of travel insurance?

It might. Atherosclerosis can raise the price of a policy, but by how much depends on the outcome of our online medical screening. That screening may want to know how the condition is treated and how well it’s controlled now. A few general details matter for everyone, like age, destination and the length of the trip. The price appears before you buy.

Travelling with atherosclerosis: practical tips

These are general tips for a smoother trip and don’t form part of your cover.

Heat makes the heart work harder. In hot countries, keep out of the midday sun, drink water regularly and save any walking for the cooler morning or evening. Go steady on alcohol, which can dehydrate you and affect blood pressure.

If you get angina, keep your GTN spray on you at all times, not packed in a suitcase. Know what to do if pain doesn’t settle, and save the local emergency number (112 works across the EU).

Leg pain on walking can make airports tiring. Request assistance through your airline before you fly; it’s free and saves a long trek. On flights, keep your legs moving and drink water.

Holiday food can be heavy and salty. You don’t have to be strict, but keep up your usual medicines without skipping doses, and carry enough for the whole trip plus extra in case of delays. If you’re on blood thinners, ask your pharmacist about anything to avoid abroad.

How to get a quote

Tell us about your trip, then go through the medical questions for atherosclerosis and anything else you need to declare. You’ll see the price before paying.

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.

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