Heartburn/Reflux (GERD

the time to discover an insidious blockage of your coronary arteries. If your doctor detects a cardiac condition, appropriate medications will need to be prescribed, adjusted and optimized many weeks before you leave home. Be sure to bring extra amounts of any prescription medications with you in case of travel delays. If you have an implanted pacemaker, have the device tested before departure.

Sleep apnea, which is a concern for some individuals with heart disease, may be exacerbated by certain over-the-counter medications often used to treat travel ailments. Discuss with your physician any medications you might use. Travel to high altitudes may be inadvisable for individuals with severe sleep apnea that requires use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. If you plan to travel with a CPAP machine, especially to a high-altitude location, consult your respiratory technician before you leave home to make sure that your machine will function properly at reduced atmospheric pressure and to learn how to make any necessary adjustments.

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TRAVEL RELATED INJURIES

Travel can occasionally result in injuries—from water-related mishaps to ill effects from heat or cold. The well-informed and wellprepared traveler is less likely to suffer a misadventure and is more likely to be able to recover with minimal repercussions from any calamities that occur.

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