Is flying bad for heart disease?

Effects of Flight Persons who are already at risk from a preexisting cardiovascular disorder, especially if unstable, are at higher risk. Inactivity during flight, especially during long flights, reduces blood flow in the legs thus increasing the risk of blood clots.



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Before flying, those who have heart disease or have undergone a cardiac procedure should discuss their plans with a doctor. Some of the risk factors that might affect that decision include an unstable heart condition, long flights, flying to a high-elevation destination, and personal risk for blood clots.

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recent heart attack. recent stroke. 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.

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If your blood pressure is higher than 120 over 80, seek medical advice before you travel.

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Your blood pressure could rise
The higher you are in the sky, the less oxygen your body will carry, and less oxygen means higher blood pressure. If you typically have a regular blood pressure or even a low blood pressure, this increase will likely have no effect on you.

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Patients with AFib can generally fly without issue. However, it is important that all patients are prepared. Firstly, patients should only fly if their disease is under control. Talk with your doctor to make sure that you are a good candidate for travel.

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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.

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Flying produces an inconceivable amount of C02 emissions and air pollution. For those that don't know, CO2 (carbon dioxide) is one of the key greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming – flying produces a whole lot of it.

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Air travel increases the risk of developing blood clots in the veins of the legs, which can then enter the bloodstream and block an artery in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolism. In some cases, the opening can allow the blood clot to enter the arteries of the brain, causing a stroke.

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Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots when traveling is not recommended. If you take aspirin for other reasons, check with your doctor.

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The main aspect of in-flight health that most of us will encounter is tiredness and changes to circadian rhythms. Flying often involves getting up at unsociable hours, inadequate sleep and messing up the body clock — all of which leave us more susceptible to being hit nastily by any bugs that may be floating about.

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Blood clots can sometimes form in your legs during air travel because you are immobile for long periods of time, often sitting in cramped spaces with little leg room. The clinical term for this type of blood clot is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The longer the flight, the more at risk you are for developing a clot.

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