Originally Posted by betsy
Guess I just really need to keep my feet up because I have a heart condition and we'll be flying out later the same day for the long haul to Beijing. Guess that's tough.
I would call up the airline in advance, and ask if you can reserve the bulkhead seat. The bulkhead can act as an de facto footrest (especially if you aren't too tall). Another trick to have a backpack/carryon that you can bring down from the overhead compartment after takeoff to use as a footrest. You might not be able to totally stretch out your legs, but you should be able to keep them elevated.
If you want to keep your feet elevated, I think the economy bulkhead row is better option than a non-bulkhead domestic first class which won't have footrests.