Travel Insurance for Pulmonary Hypertension

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension means the pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs is too high. The right side of the heart has to pump harder to push blood through, and over time that extra effort can weaken it. It’s quite different from ordinary high blood pressure, and sits with the other blood and circulation conditions on our site.

Breathlessness is usually the first thing people notice, followed by tiredness, dizziness and sometimes swollen ankles. It can be linked to lung disease, heart problems, past blood clots or other conditions, and in some people the cause isn’t known. Treatment can’t usually cure it but can ease symptoms. The NHS pulmonary hypertension page has more information.

Why do I need to declare pulmonary hypertension for travel insurance?

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious pre-existing medical condition, so it needs declaring. We ask because raised pressure in the lungs puts strain on the heart, and the lower oxygen levels in an aircraft cabin or at altitude can bring on breathlessness. A chest infection or worsening symptoms abroad could lead to emergency treatment, and feeling unwell beforehand could mean cancelling.

Without a declaration, a related claim could be refused or only partly paid.

Can I get travel insurance with pulmonary hypertension?

It’s often possible. Whether cover is offered depends a lot on how much the condition limits you day to day. Recent hospital admissions, oxygen use, a recent change in treatment or an assessment for a transplant or other procedure will all be taken into account. Any condition that caused the pulmonary hypertension will need declaring as well.

What we’ll ask about your pulmonary hypertension

Our medical screening is done online and doesn’t take long. It covers a few questions that relate to pulmonary hypertension, and once you’ve finished, the result appears immediately with your quote.

Getting your result

The outcome comes up as soon as you’ve finished. Look at your quote to see whether pulmonary hypertension has been accepted; when it has, the premium quoted already includes it. If the condition can’t be included, you’ll learn that at this stage, well before paying.

Telling us about changes

Your health may shift before you leave. If you’re diagnosed with something new, your medication changes, you spend time in hospital or you’re referred for tests, let us know. We’ll check whether your cover still fits, and failing to report a change could affect a claim connected to it.

What pulmonary hypertension travel insurance can cover

Once accepted, your pulmonary hypertension can be covered for emergencies while you’re away. If you become severely breathless in Greece and need hospital care, the cost of emergency treatment can be covered. If you need to come home with a medical escort or on a stretcher, repatriation can be covered too. This is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Should your condition get worse before the holiday and your consultant advises you not to go, you may be able to reclaim non-refundable costs through cancellation cover.

It won’t cover arranging oxygen for your flight, planned treatment overseas, or problems arising from any condition you haven’t declared.

Single trip or annual cover with pulmonary hypertension

Most people start with single trip insurance for a specific holiday. Annual multi-trip cover may also be offered, depending on what the screening shows.

Will pulmonary hypertension affect the cost of travel insurance?

Pulmonary hypertension can be one of the things your price takes into account, but the screening is what works out its effect. Our online medical screening may ask how you’re being treated and how well the condition is controlled. Where you’re going, how long for and your age matter as well. The premium appears on screen before you pay, so you can weigh it up first.

Travelling with pulmonary hypertension: practical tips

Please read this as general guidance only. It isn’t part of the insurance.

Oxygen is the main thing to sort out. Air in an aircraft cabin has less oxygen than at ground level, and for people with pulmonary hypertension that can matter. Your specialist team can tell you whether you need oxygen in flight. If you do, contact the airline well ahead, as most have a set process and some charge for it. Arrange oxygen for your stay as well if you use it at home.

Think carefully about altitude. Mountain resorts and high cities such as Denver or Cusco put extra strain on your heart and lungs. Your team can advise which destinations are realistic.

Heat and humidity can make breathlessness worse, so a destination in spring or autumn may be easier than the height of summer. Book airport assistance so you don’t have to walk long distances or rush between gates, and choose accommodation with a lift or a ground-floor room.

Some pulmonary hypertension medicines are specialist drugs that are hard to get abroad. Take more than enough, split between bags, and carry your treatment plan and contact details for your specialist centre.

How to get a quote

Add your destination and dates, complete the medical screening for pulmonary hypertension and anything else on your record, and choose your cover. The full price is shown before you pay.

Get a Quote

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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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