What medical conditions are affected by flying?

Who should not travel by air? Diseases that prevent you from boarding a plane
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • A recent stroke.
  • Infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, influenza or even COVID-19.
  • A recent surgery.
  • A pregnancy of over 28 weeks.
  • Angina (chest pain at rest)




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angina or chest pain at rest. an infectious disease (e.g. chickenpox, flu), including COVID-19. decompression sickness after diving (sometimes called 'the bends') increased pressure in the brain (due to bleeding, injury or infection)

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There are a number of effects altitude and airplane travel have on the body, including oxygen deprivation, alteration of sleep patterns, and an increased risk of contracting contagious diseases.

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

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Most airlines have their own medical clearance and fitness-to-fly forms, which must be filed well in advance of the flight and finalized at least 48 hours prior to departure. The following conditions may require preflight clearance: recent illness, hospitalization, injury or surgery. existing unstable medical condition.

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Most airlines have their own medical clearance and fitness-to-fly forms, which must be filed well in advance of the flight and finalized at least 48 hours prior to departure. The following conditions may require preflight clearance: recent illness, hospitalization, injury or surgery. existing unstable medical condition.

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Consider visiting your doctor for a health check-up before you travel. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your plans are suitable. If your cholesterol levels are high, they may be able to recommend a better time for you to travel or for you to change your holiday slightly.

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Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder, but not temporary enough for many travelers. If you're flying from San Francisco to Rome for a 10-day trip, for example, it may take six to nine days to fully recover. That's because it can take up to a day for each time zone crossed for your body to adjust to the local time.

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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. The potential dehydration factor and sitting for long periods of time doesn't help.

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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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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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The elderly are also at greater risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long-haul flights. Also known as economy class syndrome, DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body, usually in the lower leg or thigh. If the clot breaks free it can cause a serious problem in the lungs, called a pulmonary embolism.

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Severe episodes (massive embolism) present with collapse, severe breathlessness, and central chest pain. Symptoms of VTE commonly develop during or immediately after a flight, often while still in the airport.

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According to medical research, travelling with arrhythmia is perfectly safe, as long as you are either suffering from no symptoms or you have been deemed clinically stable by a medical professional.

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