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When can I resume air travel after bypass surgery?

Dr OP Yadava
CEO & Chief Cardiac Surgeon,
National Heart Institute,
New Delhi

Q: I had surgery 6 months ago and need to resume international air travel on a regular basis. When can one undertake regular international (long haul) air flights after bypass surgery?

A:Normally after 3-6 weeks of bypass surgery, it is perfectly safe to undertake long haul flights. However, before you do so, you must get a clinical consultation with your cardiologist and take any specific advice from him. Also during the flight, you must carry your medications and make sure that you don’t miss any dose.