Bon Voyage with High BP: Strategies for Seamless and Healthy Travel
This article is medically reviewed by Dr Valery Feigin | Professor of Neurology & Epidemiology and Director of NISAN (National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences), Auckland University of Technology
Are you excited for the long-awaited travel? As most travel activities resume post-pandemic, many individuals are looking forward to enjoying their holidays and exploring new destinations. With the new excitements piling up, there are also precautions that hypertensive individuals should note when travelling. According to the
World Health Organisation (WHO), hypertension affects more than 1 billion adults worldwide.
Understanding the Risks
Hypertension can be deadly if it is uncontrolled and it can cause other diseases like stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. According to
NCBI, travel can cause stress, affect normal routines and expose individuals to new environments that they may not be used to. All these factors can lead to an increase in blood pressure levels. During travel, some individuals will also indulge in alcohol, salty food and sedentary periods which can further escalate hypertension. Furthermore, some travel causes jet lag, dehydration and travel stress, so it might temporarily raise blood pressure levels.
Preparing for Travel
● Ensure you have enough medication for the entire trip and keep medications in original containers
● Get a portable home blood pressure monitor and learn proper technique
● Have copies of prescriptions and a doctor's letter about your condition in case you need medical care
Staying
Healthy on the Road
● Stay hydrated by drinking water and avoiding alcohol/caffeine, which can increase blood pressure
● Eat a diet low in sodium and rich in fruits/vegetables to help control blood pressure when travelling
● Move around frequently during long flights/road trips to promote circulation
● Consider
compression stockings to prevent swelling and blood clots, which hypertensives are at higher risk for
Special Considerations
● Certain groups like visiting friends/relatives travellers may need extra precautions due to travel patterns/diets
● High altitudes can exacerbate hypertension
As you prepare for your journeys, investing in a reliable and portable blood pressure monitor should be a top priority. OMRON's
wrist blood pressure monitors, like the HEM-6232T and HEM-6161 models, offer the perfect combination of accuracy and convenience for travellers with hypertension. Don't let high blood pressure hold you back and confidently explore the world while prioritising your health.
