Long-term high-altitude exposure does not increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation associated with organic heart diseases. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. 2021; doi:10.1089/ham. 2020.0228.
People Also Ask
Q: For afib patients that plan to fly, what suggestions can you recommend? A: People worry that being in an airplane is going to trigger afib. It's a pressurized cabin at about 5,000-8,000 feet. Airplanes have enough oxygen where that shouldn't be a problem.
Cardiac arrhythmia. Hypoxia and increased sympathetic activation may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias at high altitude2; however, the incidence of significant arrhythmias during air travel is rare.
If you have signs and symptoms of heart failure and further treatment is planned, you are considered to be at high risk of another heart attack. In this case, you should wait until you are in a more stable condition before flying. Always speak to your GP or specialist before flying after you have had a heart attack.
recent operation or injury where trapped air or gas may be present in the body (e.g. stomach ,bowel, eyes, face, brain) severe long term diseases that affect your breathing. breathlessness at rest. unresolved pneumothorax (punctured lung)
Travelers with underlying medical conditions (e.g., coronary artery disease, any form of chronic pulmonary disease or preexisting hypoxemia, obstructive sleep apnea [OSA], or sickle cell trait)—even if well controlled—should consult a physician familiar with high-elevation medical issues before undertaking such travel ...