Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – German football legend, Franz Beckenbauer, died on Sunday (7/1/2024) at the age of 78. The family conveyed the sad news from the legend nicknamed Der Kaiser or The Emperor.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by family,” wrote the Beckenbauer family's official statement, quoted on Tuesday (9/1/2024).

Although the family did not reveal the cause of death, Beckenbauer admitted that he had lost sight in his right eye and was advised by doctors not to travel long distances because he had heart problems.

“I would love to travel. However, my health does not allow me to travel long distances,” Beckenbauer said in a statement after being unable to attend Pele's funeral.

So, is it true that people who have heart problems should not travel long distances? What is the reason?

According to the American Heart Association, it is actually okay for people with heart problems to travel long distances as long as they make sure and do several things before traveling.

Photo: English soccer player David Beckham, right, and German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer at the inauguration of the official ball for the 2010 World Cup, called the Jabulani, in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, December 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

A number of things that sufferers of heart problems must do before a long trip are to prepare medication, bring a copy of the original prescription in case they run out of medication while traveling, report to the doctor regarding travel plans, and research the location of a cardiologist at the destination.

A cardiologist at Northside Atlanta Hospital, Winston H. Gandy, said that people suffering from heart problems do not need to worry about traveling long distances, one of which is by plane as long as their health condition is well controlled and declared safe by a doctor.

However, make sure you consume enough fluids and sodium or salt intake, especially if you suffer from a history of heart failure. Because, balanced fluid intake is important in this health condition.

“Height can make symptoms appear more easily, especially if you suffer from coronary artery disease because of the thin air and how much oxygen is carried into the blood,” said Gandy.

Then, sitting still for too long in a vehicle due to long travel distances can increase the risk of blood clots in the legs. This risk increases in people who have a history of heart failure and suffer from peripheral artery disease or blood vessel disease.

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes RI), people with heart problems who have a pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) who travel by plane must inform airport officials, especially during metal detection checks.

“Ask to be examined without using a metal detector. If you have to be examined with a metal detector, ask not to place it directly in front of the location where the pacemaker or ICD is installed,” wrote the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes RI).

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(hsy/hsy)