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What Should I Know About Flying After Open Heart Surgery?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 10, 2025

Earlier this year, I interviewed 78 patients about their heart surgery experience. Most of those patients had open heart surgery - including heart valve replacement surgery and heart valve repair operations.

One of the questions asked during this survey was, "Did you travel outside your hometown for your cardiac surgery?"

Interestingly enough, 28% of patients surveyed had traveled (by plane) to have their surgeries performed by cardiac surgeons in other cities, states or countries. There are also reports that about 50% of the patients who have surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, the #1 ranked cardiac center by U.S. News & World Reports, are not from Ohio.

Ultimately, the "out-of-town" heart patient should ask their cardiac surgeon a key question prior to heart surgery. That question is, "When is it safe to fly after heart surgery?"

I'll be very upfront with you. I do not have a quantitative / statistical answer for you. (Yes, it's on my list of survey questions for next year.)

Alternatively, I have some anecdotal information that might help you answer this question - if you are considering an out-of-town surgery. Typically, patients remain in the hospital for five days after their heart surgery procedure. However, if heart surgery patient complications occur (and they do), time in the hospital can extend for longer periods.

After leaving the hospital, most patients have follow-up visits with their surgeons two weeks post-surgery. Does that mean you have to remain in your surgeon's city for the first two weeks of your recovery? Definitely not. I know of one patient who left the hospital after one week and then boarded a plane home to Fiji from California.

Is that advisable? Well... My opinion when it comes to heart surgery is "Better Safe Than Sorry!"

That said, please ask your surgeon about flying home after heart surgery and make the necessary arrangements to ensure your safe travel home following heart surgery.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

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Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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