Does flying increase stroke?

This increases the risk of ischemic stroke, which takes place when an artery in the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot. Risk of developing a clot has been found to be increased during and after air travel by many research studies. In fact, clot risk may be elevated by as much as 26% for longer flight times.



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Takeoff and landing are widely considered the most dangerous parts of a flight.

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“At oxygen levels equivalent to altitudes above 12,000ft (3.6km), healthy adults can start to show measurable changes in their memory, their ability to perform calculations and make decisions,” BBC had reported earlier.

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The cramped conditions and long periods of being less active on a flight can cause pain, stiffness or swelling of your legs. Being less active can lead to slow blood flow in your veins which increases your risk of developing a blood clot, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVTs most commonly form in the legs.

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It is safe to fly with high blood pressure if the medical condition is well controlled. However, if your hypertension is extremely high and unstable, it is best to avoid boarding a plane. A consultation with your doctor before flying is primordial to know if you are fit to fly.

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This includes those with cardiac failure, recent myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke, angina (chest pain) at rest, heart rate or rhythm disorders, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, severe anemia, sickle-cell anemia, acute mental disorders, epilepsy, and any serious or contagious diseases.

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It empties your energy tank. Air pressure is lower at higher altitudes, which means your body takes in less oxygen. Airlines “pressurize” the air in the cabin, but not to sea-level pressures, so there's still less oxygen getting to your body when you fly, which can make you feel drained or even short of breath.

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One thing that pilots and prospective aircraft dispatchers need to understand is that there is not one universal safe altitude since some terrains or objects may be taller than others. Rather, the accepted metric is that this altitude needs to be at least 500 feet above the terrain or obstacle in question.

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