Need comfort here: Afraid of heart attack on vacation.

[Anonymous]

I'm heading off to Disney World today which obviously is a trip that involves a lot of walking (heart rate up). I am packing now and my heart is thumping. I am overweight and middle aged (tho did have a cardiac stress test and monitor in 2019 which found nothing, and had a recent cardio checkup just to review cholesterol which was not amazing but fine). I am just so attuned to my heart. I cannot tell if my worry is pretrip panic or what. I need coping tips.

[Anonymous]

Look into renting a scooter to cut down on the walking. There are plenty of private companies that will bring them to you- Gold Mobility, Walker Mobility. Take frequent breaks in the a/c.

[Anonymous]

Just got back from there. It’s hot. Make sure you are staying hydrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look into renting a scooter to cut down on the walking. There are plenty of private companies that will bring them to you- Gold Mobility, Walker Mobility. Take frequent breaks in the a/c.

Yeah many overweight people rent those- they’re called rascals. I was in Disney lady week, walked average of 8 miles in a day.

[Anonymous]

Take a few gatorade powder packets with you. Easy to mix with sink water etc if you get dehydrated.

[Anonymous]

Pace yourself. If you are tired, find a place to sit for a few and then keep going.

[Anonymous]

You will likely not have a heart attack on this vacation, but maybe consider this a wake-up call that you need to prioritize your health and getting to a healthy weight.

[Anonymous]

Also, I think these parks are very safety conscious and would be able to help you immediately if you felt ill. It’s not like you’re going hiking in the remote woods.

[Anonymous]

Pace yourself! It's not a race. Disney is laid out with plenty of places to sit. I learned this the hard way--treated the first day like a mad dash and was exhausted. Paced the rest if the trip and had a way better time.

[Anonymous]

It’s a lot of walking, but very slow walking. Your doctors have told you you are fine. Trust them. Sounds more like you have anxiety than anything wrong with your heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, I think these parks are very safety conscious and would be able to help you immediately if you felt ill. It’s not like you’re going hiking in the remote woods.

Agree. My kid dropped a bubble machine and a staff person came out of no where to replace it within a minute.

[Anonymous]

Disney is SO safe. DH had a minor but scary emergency there in February (fainted due to dehydration--hydrate!) and about a dozen people were swarmed on him in 5 seconds. I'd be more worried on some remote tropical vacation. Also do you know how many seriously obese and old people waddle there daily unscathed. You're basically going to a hospital with characters and rides.

[Anonymous]

I am a heart patient. My heart rate also climbs up fast. I have been going to places where I have to hike or climb (Macchu Picchu, Galapagos, Amazon) and I have taken precautions.

1) Dress in loose lightweight clothes that keeps you fully covered and cool. Moisture wicking fabrics in trekking pants and shirts will keep you covered and yet very cool.
2) Compression socks and knee braces if you are obese or out of shape.
3) Wide rimmed hat, sunglasses and always keep well hydrated. I avoid gatorade because of the sugar so I carry coconut water from WF with me.
4) Nitroglycerine tablets on person.
5) Pace yourself. Take a lot of breaks. Don't get over heated.
6) Very well supported shoes.
7) Comfortable undergarments that are not tight around chest or stomach.
8) Make a checklist for all phases of the journey so you feel in control and are not anxious.
9) Give yourself ample time for everything. Go on the tortoise pace not the hare pace.
10) Come back and do your best to improve your health. Some of the things are in your hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a heart patient. My heart rate also climbs up fast. I have been going to places where I have to hike or climb (Macchu Picchu, Galapagos, Amazon) and I have taken precautions.

1) Dress in loose lightweight clothes that keeps you fully covered and cool. Moisture wicking fabrics in trekking pants and shirts will keep you covered and yet very cool.
2) Compression socks and knee braces if you are obese or out of shape.
3) Wide rimmed hat, sunglasses and always keep well hydrated. I avoid gatorade because of the sugar so I carry coconut water from WF with me.
4) Nitroglycerine tablets on person.
5) Pace yourself. Take a lot of breaks. Don't get over heated.
6) Very well supported shoes.
7) Comfortable undergarments that are not tight around chest or stomach.
8) Make a checklist for all phases of the journey so you feel in control and are not anxious.
9) Give yourself ample time for everything. Go on the tortoise pace not the hare pace.
10) Come back and do your best to improve your health. Some of the things are in your hand.
11) Do calming breathing exercises during the plane journey and at Disney.
12) Walk around in the plane if you can, compression socks will help a lot.

[Anonymous]

Fwiw, the two middle-aged people I know who have had cardiac issues were mega healthy athletes. I'm not saying that healthy eating and exercise matter, because they sure do...but sometimes life is just a crapshoot and the sooner you make peace with that, the more sane you will be.