Medical Evaluation As stated above, the vast majority of travelers can fly quite safely. If a passenger has significant preexisting illness or an unstable medical condition, a physician should be consulted before planning to travel by air. This is particularly true for those with heart or lung disease including angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction (heart attack), asthma, and emphysema. Other significant illnesses would include a history of deep venous thrombosis (blood clots), seizure disorder, stroke, and diabetes. In such cases, your physician might want to do a preflight evaluation. Vaccination and other travel health requirements should also be checked well in advance of travel abroad.
If the physician has fully reviewed the prospective traveler’s condition and there is any question regarding the suitability to fly or any special requests for assistance, the airline should be contacted well ahead of travel.