The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: April fourth, with tips for heart-sick travelers.

A weak heart once kept folks at home, but as Vice President Cheany has shown, advances in medical care and transportation mean people with cardiac histories can have travel in their future. There are restrictions. Heart attack victims, for example, should avoid foreign travel for a year. But patients with chronic angina or congestive heart failure may be able to take trips, if their doctor judges them to be clinically stable. Always rely on sound medical advice and use common sense when picking an itinerary. Avoid high altitude destinations or tropical climates, along with any journey that might prove physically taxing to an otherwise healthy individual. Access to proper medical care and diet are also important considerations. For these reasons, cruises often make good vacation options for cardiac patients.

It's also wise to have a travel companion who understands your medical problems and knows what to do in an emergency. American Airlines recently introduced a traveling nurse program. Pack an adequate supply of any necessary medication in your carry-on bag, and stow a double dose in your checked luggage. Write down the brand and generic names of medicines you're taking. A typed summary of your cardiac history may also be helpful.

A pacemaker shouldn't be a problem, as long as its battery is in good shape. Airlines can serve salt free and other special meals. They can also provide oxygen during the flight, though that requires a doctor's OK and costs about $75 extra each way. Make special requests at the time of booking or at least 48 hours before the flight

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