What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure is a clinical condition linked to the inability of the heart effectively pump the blood flow, resulting in reduced supply of oxygen to various organs.
Heart Failure & Daily Life
The symptoms of heart failure affect a person's ability to carry out daily activities & can seriously compromise physical activity.
The New York Heart Association identifies 4 functional categories corresponding to various degrees of severity of heart failure in relation to the ability to perform physical activities.
1. Category NYHA I - No Limitations on Physical Activity.
Physical activities such as physical exercise, walking or carrying heavy bags do not cause fatigue, shortness of breath or palpitations.
2. Category NYHA II - Mild Limitations on Physical Activity.
Fatigue, shortness of breath & palpitations during more demanding physical activity.
3. Category NYHA III - Pronounced Limitations on Physical Activity.
Fatigue, shortness of breath & palpitations during less demanding physical activities such as cleaning floors, washing clothes, wiping furniture or hanging out clothes.
4. Category NYHA IV - Inability to Perform Any Physical Activity.
Fatigue, shortness of breath & palpitations when getting washed or even when resting.
Heart Failure & AIR TRAVEL
Air travel in particular may exacerbate heart failure due to factors relating to:
1. Reduction of air pressure at high altitudes & therefore the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood.
2. Reduced air humidity inside the plane with the consequent risk of dehydration.
3. The presence of any other diseases (respiratory or lung diseases or anemia or any other chronic diseases) which lead to oxygen deficiency.
4. Psychological & physical stress associated with traveling (queues at check-in counter & security checks, carrying heavy or big luggage, fear & anxiety about flying).
Nevertheless, air travel is not totally contraindicated for patients with heart failure, but it is important that they follow some advice.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Tips for Tourist Traveling to West Europe
Tips for tourist traveling to West Europe.
Honest review.
1. West Europe is pretty safe, compare to East Europe.
2. Don't go alone in night time, as many pickpocket & snatcher hang around may attack you.
3. In hotel below 4 star ratings, they didn't provide complimentary drinking water, cooking equipment such as kettle & hairdryer. (France still better, as they still provide)
4. Try to send postcard or mail letter covered in envelope from Switzerland, France, San Marino & Vatican City. Remember to purchase International Mail Post Stamp! (They are really fast)
5. Always carry your passport, cards & banknotes every time. Don't leave it unattended, even for a seconds, also don't leave them in your hotel room, ALWAYS CARRY THEM ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!
6. Carry electrical socket for charging your mobile phone or camera. If you come from Japan or USA, you must carry adapter. The voltage standard for West Europe is 220 - 240 V, depends on countries. Check them in internet.
7. Restaurant always ask for tip (outside the final bill charge) around €1-2 (depends, may be more).
8. Don't drink tap water, except in few cities in Switzerland. (Monitor latest information from your tour guide)
9. Public restroom or toilet is charged or you need to pay to enter or use them. Except few are free to use in highway rest area or restaurant (however you should ask first or purchase something from there). Provide enough coins.
10. Switzerland don't use € (Euro) currency, it use CHF (Swiss Franc).
11. Don't take photograph of military officials who guard the public areas, as they may interfere you.
12. Pay the restaurant bill directly to the cashier, don't leave them unattended like you may practice in USA, someone may take it & the restaurant will assume you haven't pay.
13. Some restaurant's seats is not allowed to be occupied, even you had purchase a light food from them. They demand you must purchase a portion of meal to take occupy the seat. (mostly in Italy)
14. Tax refund is amazingly difficult to claim for, seek advice from your tour guide or travel agent.
15. You may be teased by some gathering of youth strangers on the street or on the fast food chain entrance.
16. Winter season could be challenging, beware of slippery roads. Don't step or walk on thin & transparent ice. Summer season is also challenging, in southern most areas.
17. Most toilets don't have water spray. However, in newer buildings or renovated toilet, they have washing closet.
18. European Union members countries are sharing borders. So there are no immigration checkpoints in any of 26 EU states, except Switzerland. (See latest status on official website of EU)
19. Take a free copy of local city map or guide at the exit of airport. As it could be useful for you.
20. Buying an insurance is important, as health care provider in West Europe are amazingly expensive. Seek advice from your travel consultant.
21. Some street vendor are selling souvenirs for cheap prices. You must really take a precaution of them because street vendor are illegal. Also few street vendor often to force you to purchase their items if you touch or take picture of it. If you purchase from them (then the police saw), then you may be fined. However, like Paris & Amsterdam, you may consider to buy or not.
22. West Europe is food tester haven.
23. If you have family or relatives in West Europe, better stay with them.
Honest review.
1. West Europe is pretty safe, compare to East Europe.
2. Don't go alone in night time, as many pickpocket & snatcher hang around may attack you.
3. In hotel below 4 star ratings, they didn't provide complimentary drinking water, cooking equipment such as kettle & hairdryer. (France still better, as they still provide)
4. Try to send postcard or mail letter covered in envelope from Switzerland, France, San Marino & Vatican City. Remember to purchase International Mail Post Stamp! (They are really fast)
5. Always carry your passport, cards & banknotes every time. Don't leave it unattended, even for a seconds, also don't leave them in your hotel room, ALWAYS CARRY THEM ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!
6. Carry electrical socket for charging your mobile phone or camera. If you come from Japan or USA, you must carry adapter. The voltage standard for West Europe is 220 - 240 V, depends on countries. Check them in internet.
7. Restaurant always ask for tip (outside the final bill charge) around €1-2 (depends, may be more).
8. Don't drink tap water, except in few cities in Switzerland. (Monitor latest information from your tour guide)
9. Public restroom or toilet is charged or you need to pay to enter or use them. Except few are free to use in highway rest area or restaurant (however you should ask first or purchase something from there). Provide enough coins.
10. Switzerland don't use € (Euro) currency, it use CHF (Swiss Franc).
11. Don't take photograph of military officials who guard the public areas, as they may interfere you.
12. Pay the restaurant bill directly to the cashier, don't leave them unattended like you may practice in USA, someone may take it & the restaurant will assume you haven't pay.
13. Some restaurant's seats is not allowed to be occupied, even you had purchase a light food from them. They demand you must purchase a portion of meal to take occupy the seat. (mostly in Italy)
14. Tax refund is amazingly difficult to claim for, seek advice from your tour guide or travel agent.
15. You may be teased by some gathering of youth strangers on the street or on the fast food chain entrance.
16. Winter season could be challenging, beware of slippery roads. Don't step or walk on thin & transparent ice. Summer season is also challenging, in southern most areas.
17. Most toilets don't have water spray. However, in newer buildings or renovated toilet, they have washing closet.
18. European Union members countries are sharing borders. So there are no immigration checkpoints in any of 26 EU states, except Switzerland. (See latest status on official website of EU)
19. Take a free copy of local city map or guide at the exit of airport. As it could be useful for you.
20. Buying an insurance is important, as health care provider in West Europe are amazingly expensive. Seek advice from your travel consultant.
21. Some street vendor are selling souvenirs for cheap prices. You must really take a precaution of them because street vendor are illegal. Also few street vendor often to force you to purchase their items if you touch or take picture of it. If you purchase from them (then the police saw), then you may be fined. However, like Paris & Amsterdam, you may consider to buy or not.
22. West Europe is food tester haven.
23. If you have family or relatives in West Europe, better stay with them.
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