Mr. Rajat Kapoor loved travelling, and it was his passion.
Europe in the spring. Spiti in the monsoon. Thailand over long weekends. His passport had more stamps than most people’s laptops have stickers or apps on their phones. However, that changed on the day his CT angiography showed an 80% heart blockage. He didn’t feel sick. No chest pain. No tightness. He just used to get tired after a long walk. “Doc, can I still travel?” he asked.
This is the question we are commonly asked at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi, especially in Dr. Bimal Chhajer’s consultation. And the answer is not just yes or no, it’s how, when, and how safely.
SAAOL Heartcare has already saved the lives of more than 6 lakh people like Mr. Kapoor through exclusive non-surgical heart treatment methods, including EECP in Delhi/NCR, Zero-oil Cooking, and lifestyle modifications, helping them to avoid bypass surgery, still being active and reversing painlessly their heart disease without putting their life or passion for travel at risk!!
Because when your heart is 80% blocked, it’s not only where you want to go. It is about whether your heart is prepared for the journey.
The Real Risk of Traveling with 80% Heart Blockage
Mr. Kapoor’s story isn’t unusual.
He had an 80% blockage in his left anterior descending (LAD) artery. But because he wasn’t feeling any chest pain, he almost brushed it off. “Let me just finish this trip to Leh,” he told himself. “I’ll deal with it after I’m back.”
This is just the mindset we tend to change at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi. For as comforting as it may seem to not be in pain, it can be pretty unsafe. More studies emerged showing that among high-risk patients, over 30% of patients with severely blocked coronary arteries never experience the classic anginal symptoms until the heart gives out during sudden physical or emotional stress.
Flying, walking long terminals, exposure to altitude, anxiety, jet lag, skipped meals, they all add pressure to your heart. And with a compromised artery, that’s not a small risk.
What Happens to Your Heart During Travel?
Travel, air travel in particular, is harder on your heart than most people realize.
Here’s why:
- The lower oxygen pressure in the flight cabin makes the heart work harder.
- Prolonged sitting is bad for circulation and can lead to blood clots.
- Disruption of sleep, dehydration, and a salty airline meal all increase the cardiovascular workload.
- Then there is the mental stress (anxiety, planning, navigating) that adds another layer of strain.
Now imagine all this on a heart that’s already getting 20% less blood due to an 80% blockage. It’s not a small gap. It’s a ticking imbalance.
What SAAOL Heartcare Advises Before You Pack That Suitcase
So, Mr. Kapoor, when he came to us, we did not ask him to sacrifice his dreams. We gave him a plan. And that’s the difference.
At SAAOL, led by Dr. Bimal Chhajer, we undertake an extremely personalised as well as evidence-based methodology, which has enabled us to help patients prevent bypass surgery using our non-invasive heart treatment, more specifically, our EECP treatment program in Delhi/NCR.
Here’s the 5-step travel-readiness protocol we follow:
- Cardiac Fitness Evaluation
Before greenlighting travel, we do a full workup:
- Ejection fraction (EF)
- Treadmill test (TMT) or stress echo
- ECG, lipid profile, HbA1c
- Angina, dyspnea, or fatigue with a recent history
If you cannot finish a TMT or your EF is <40%, travel is risky, especially to high altitudes or long-haul flights.
- Start EECP Sessions Early
EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation) is a non-invasive therapy where pressure cuffs on the legs pump in sync with your heartbeat. This improves blood supply, stimulates the growth of new vessels (collaterals), and strengthens the heart’s reserve. We advise starting at least 40 EECP sessions before travel. Many patients feel a tangible difference in stamina and breath control by the 2nd week.
- Medical Optimisation
SAAOL ensures your:
- Blood pressure is well controlled
- Heart rate is steady
- Cholesterol and inflammation markers are down
- Medications are travel-ready (long-acting, easy to carry)
- Zero-Oil Nutrition Plan
Yes, even on vacation. We give patients practical, travel-friendly zero-oil meal strategies to avoid sudden cholesterol spikes or heavy digestion loads on the heart.
- Emergency Protocol Kit
Patients are given:
- Nitrate medicines
- SOS contacts
- Printed medical summary
- Instructions for signs to watch for
Mr. Kapoor followed this plan, and within 6 weeks, his EF had improved, TMT results were better, and he flew to Greece with a lighter heart, literally.
Can You Still Travel If You Don’t Have Chest Pain?
Let’s be brutally honest. Chest pain is not the only symptom. It’s often not the first symptom either.
What else should raise red flags?
- Unusual tiredness
- Breathlessness while walking
- Unexplained dizziness or cold sweats
- Sleep interruptions due to discomfort
- Mild heaviness after meals or stress
These may seem like “aging,” but they’re often early signs of reduced blood supply to the heart. And remember, blockage doesn’t reverse on its own. It either progresses… or you intervene.
Why EECP Treatment is a Game-Changer for Travellers
Thousands of patients with 80% heart blockage have now completed safe, happy travel due to EECP treatment in Delhi/NCR, and here’s why it works so well:
- Builds natural bypasses (collateral circulation)
- Improves blood supply without surgery
- Boosts stamina and oxygen delivery
- No anaesthesia, no cuts, no downtime
- Can be repeated anytime
And when paired with SAAOL’s zero-oil, anti-inflammatory lifestyle modifications, it doesn’t just treat the heart, it resets your entire system. Mr. Kapoor completed his sessions. Today, he sends us postcards from every trip.
Your Personalised Travel Clearance Report
At SAAOL, we provide a detailed pre-travel medical clearance, which includes:
- Cardiologist recommendation
- Updated test reports
- Emergency medication checklist
- Lifestyle instructions
- Country-specific caution tips (for high altitude zones, cold climates, long flights)
This isn’t just paperwork. It’s peace of mind. And for family members, that’s priceless.
Can you travel with 80% Heart Blockage and Diabetes or BP?
Absolutely, but only with medical clearance. These comorbidities make the situation more delicate. Travel preparation becomes even more critical:
- Strict sugar monitoring
- Avoidance of extreme weather
- Altitude caution (mountains may reduce oxygenation)
- Deep vein thrombosis prevention for long flights
At SAAOL, we take a whole-body approach. We don’t treat the heart in isolation because travel doesn’t stress one system; it challenges all of them.
The SAAOL Way: Reverse Heart Disease Without Surgery, Live Fully
Dr. Bimal Chhajer has pioneered a system where reversal isn’t a miracle, it’s a method.
Thousands of patients with advanced blockages are now:
- Travelling confidently
- Avoiding bypass or stenting
- Living longer, fuller lives
- Avoided multiple medications
And in many cases, reversing heart disease without surgery
Mr. Kapoor is one of them. And so can you be.
FAQs: Travel with 80% Heart Blockage
Q: Can I fly internationally with 80% heart blockage?
A: Yes, if you’re medically stable, have good EF, no recent symptoms, and your cardiologist clears you. EECP and pre-travel planning are key.
Q: Should I avoid mountains?
A: Avoid altitudes above 7,000 ft unless cleared by a doctor. Oxygen levels are lower, and increase heart demand.
Q: What about cruises?
A: Cruise ships are usually safe, but have onboard medical support info ready and avoid over-exertion.
Q: How soon after EECP can I travel?
A: Patients can travel safely 1–2 days after completing sessions, with proper monitoring.
Do Not Cancel Plans, Prepare Better
The question is not “Can I travel with 80% blocked arteries?” It’s “Can I travel responsibly”?
The short answer to this question is yes, under the proper guidance, which you will receive here at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi by Dr. Bimal Chhajer.
- With non-invasive heart treatment,
- With EECP treatment in Delhi/NCR,
- With a plan that lets you avoid bypass surgery,
- And with real strategies to reverse heart disease without surgery…
…life does not have to depend on your diagnosis. You may have an 80% heart blockage in your heart. But your life? That can still be 100% open.