Stroke Travel Insurance

To get a quote by telephone or email, please call us on 0844 848 1500 or chris@jsinsurance.co.uk

JS Insurance provides Single Trip, Annual Multi Trip and Long Stay Travel Insurance to those who have had a Stroke.

Travel Advice:

It can be difficult to arrange a holiday following a stroke if the patient is left with significant health problems, but there are companies out there that specialise in catering for special travel requirements. They can provide specialised transport to and from your destination, adapted hotel rooms, mobility equipment, care assistants and even adventure activities.

Stroke patients are at an increased risk of deep-vein thrombosis when sitting still on a flight for a long time. If possible walk up and down the aisle regularly and move your legs and toes when seated. Wearing lower-leg support stockings can also be beneficial, but need to be correct size to be effective. Remember to stay hydrated on the flight by drinking plenty of water and obtaining from alcoholic drinks. Speak to your doctor regarding any specific travel issues that you may need to take into consideration.

When getting a quote for travel insurance when you have had a stroke, you will be asked a number of questions. These will include:

• How many strokes have you had in total?
• How long ago was your last stroke?
• How many strokes have you had in the last six months?
• Are you awaiting surgery for this condition or for any scans to be performed?
• Do you currently use any mobility aids?
• Is your mobility worse now than it was twelve months ago?
• Have you had any transient ischaemic attacks (mini-strokes) since your last stroke?
• Do you suffer from an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)?
• Have you had an ablation procedure? (Uses a wire to destroy abnormal heart tissue)
• Are you on medication to thin the blood (not including aspirin) which requires regular blood tests?
• Have you ever been a smoker?

Symptoms of a Stroke:

Symptoms of strokes include numbness, weakness and paralysis of one side of the body. This may be indicated by a drooping arm, leg, lower eyelid or dribbling from one side of the mouth. Slurred speech, difficulty communicating, sudden blurred vision or blindness, confusion, unsteadiness and a severe headache are also symptoms of stroke. If these symptoms are apparent call for emergency medical assistance immediately.

If the symptoms go away after a few minutes then this may be indicative of a mini stroke. Mini strokes occur when there is a blockage in an artery for a period of between a few minutes and up to several hours. Despite the temporary symptoms a mini stroke should be treated seriously and medical assistance should be sought immediately as there is a risk of a more serious stroke in the future.

Ischaemic Strokes:

This is the most common type and accounts for approximately 80% of cases. They may be caused by a blood clot forming in one of the main arteries to the brain (cerebral thrombosis). Alternatively they may be caused by a blood clot forming elsewhere in the body (a cerebral embolism). The blood clot then travels into the arteries leading to the brain until it arrives at a blood vessel small enough to cause a blockage.

Haemorrhagic Strokes:

This type of stroke accounts for the remaining 20% of cases. These strokes are caused by blood vessels in or near to the brain bursting and causing a haemorrhage. This causes a build up of pressure on the delicate brain tissue and also leads to other areas of the brain being deprived of oxygen.

Strokes can happen to anyone but nine out of ten occur in people over 55 years of age. Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of a stroke including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

You can reduce your risk of suffering a stroke by eating a healthy diet (low in fat and salt, high in fruit and vegetables) and maintaining a healthy body weight. Regular exercise, not smoking and not drinking excessive quantities of alcohol will also reduce your risk of stroke.

We recommend that you read the Terms and Conditions for the full details of our Travel Insurance policy.

Useful Websites: About Stroke - Information on Stroke by NHS - Stroke Indepth - Life After Stroke

To get a quote by telephone or email, please call us on 0844 848 1500 or chris@jsinsurance.co.uk

This Travel Insurance is provided by goodtogoinsurance.com. goodtogoinsurance.com is an appointed representative of Ancile Insurance Group Ltd. which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority - No 471641.