Are you getting away this summer? That might involve taking a flight to get to your location. In the event that you are flying, the following five factors have the ability to damage your heart:
Dehydration
Dehydration can happen in airplane rooms with low oxygen. Blood volume goes down and viscosity goes up when you’re dehydrated. This makes the heart work harder.
Low oxygen levels
People with heart issues, such as those who have coronary artery disease or heart failure, may experience low oxygen levels at high altitudes. Less oxygen in the blood may make it harder for the heart to pump oxygen to the muscles.
Changes in air pressure
People with heart conditions, particularly those who are sensitive to changes in blood pressure, may experience problems as you go up or down. Rapid changes in pressure can cause the body to hold on to water, which can make situations like congestive heart failure worse.
Increased risk of blood clots
Blood clots are more likely to happen in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) when you sit for long amounts of time on planes. These blood clots could move to the heart or lungs and cause major problems, especially for people who already have cardiac issues.
Stress and anxiety
For some people, flying can be upsetting or cause worry, which can make heart problems worse or raise the risk of arrhythmias.
In the event that a person already has a cardiac disease, it is essential to contact a healthcare expert before taking a trip, particularly for flights that are lengthy or include large changes in altitude. A number of preventative measures, including maintaining enough hydration, using compression stockings to lessen the likelihood of developing blood clots, and even modifying medicines before to travel, may be suggested by them. In addition, those who have specific cardiac diseases could be required to totally refrain from flying or take extra precautions, depending on the specifics of their situation.
