Who is dangerous to fly on airplanes, and what to do if you still need to fly?

Today we are seeing how the cost of a plane ticket is decreasing and more and more people are using air transport. For this reason, the topic of the impact of air travel on the human body is of interest to many scientists from all over the world.

Many studies suggest that flying at an altitude of more than 10 km above the ground can affect our mood, consciousness, sensory organs and cause skin problems. President of the German Society for Aerospace Medicine at the University of Cologne, Jochen Hinkelbein, says that absolutely healthy people have nothing to fear. However, in the modern world one can hardly meet such people.

Experts from the German aerospace medicine community say that the cabin of an airplane is not the most suitable place for humans. After all, the pressure inside the plane corresponds to mountain pressure at an altitude of 2400 m. The humidity in the cabin is lower than in the desert, and the air temperature is cooled to 10 degrees. Can a person adapt to such conditions? But I dare say that such conditions are forced measures that help maintain a comfortable temperature in the cabin for passengers and compensate for the heat emanating from people and on-board electronics.

Oxygen, pressure, airplane

On an airplane, the pressure is low, which reduces the amount of oxygen in our blood by an average of 6 to 25%. Such pressure surges a priori suggest the use of an oxygen mask if you were in a hospital. However, at altitude the mask is used only in emergency situations and only on the instructions of the pilots.

Lack of oxygen (hypoxia) is most experienced by older people and those diagnosed with problems with the upper respiratory tract (in particular, asthmatics). Hypoxia can lead to a temporary loss of the ability to think clearly. There may also be minor problems with memory and concentration. Look at those who play games during the flight. For many people, the reaction to what is happening on the screen slows down. At altitude, the brain works a little slower than usual.

Cardiologist at the medical ]“ON Clinic Kharkov”[/anchor] Natalia Korchma says:

“Hypoxia can cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and lead to loss of consciousness. Most often it affects people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. If you feel unwell, notify the flight attendant, sit comfortably to improve blood circulation and be sure to drink water.”

For those who are susceptible to hypoxia, it is not advisable to drink alcoholic beverages and coffee before and during the flight. They put additional strain on the heart, which threatens to make you feel worse at altitude.

Recommendations for flying with hypertension

Use of medications

Turbulence and low oxygen levels increase stress on the heart, causing it to work harder. This leads to a sharp increase in blood pressure, which can trigger a heart attack and even stroke. Therefore, it is advisable for people with high blood pressure to take antihypertensive medications before flying.

There is a first aid kit on board the plane, but it is better to take with you medications prescribed by a doctor that will help stabilize your condition and quickly bring yourself back to normal. Medications should always be on hand, so you need to take them in your hand luggage on the plane. If you feel unwell and have a headache, it is advisable to try to relax, try to fall asleep or at least take a nap. This will make the flight faster and easier.

Change of position of the body, limbs

Lightly exercising your legs during the flight will improve blood flow.
It is also important to sit comfortably, because an incorrect posture impairs blood circulation and increases pressure in the blood vessels. During a long flight, your legs get tired and swollen, and your back starts to hurt. There is no need to cross, bend or tuck your legs under you. From time to time you need to do a little physical warm-up, wiggle your toes, stretching and bending them, and regularly make circular movements with your feet. It is recommended to perform such exercises 10–20 times, repeating every hour of flight. From time to time it is useful to get up from your chair and, if possible, take a walk. On long flights, it is a good idea to change into comfortable shoes.

Ear, throat, nose

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the air on an airplane is renewed every 2-3 minutes. Compared to most air-conditioned buildings, airplanes have an advantage, since in ground-based buildings it changes every 5-10 minutes.

However, Dr Richard Dowd, travel health expert at Telegraph Travel, points out that conditions inside an aircraft cabin still increase a person's vulnerability to airborne infections. You can get many colds and respiratory infections while flying. Low humidity is a habitat for many viruses and bacteria, and a large crowd of people in a confined space, and even sneezing, is an ideal scenario for quarantine.

According to Dr. Daoud, a cough from a passenger sitting next to you is the fastest way for infection to spread and serious illnesses (such as tuberculosis) to develop.

Let me add: airlines try to monitor the cleanliness of air showrooms. For example, after every flight, staff clean their planes, including seats, tray tables and lavatories.

Official requirements

Although there is no clear and legally prescribed ban on flying for people who are unwell, there are a number of rules in different codes that should be taken into account. Thus, usually the passenger is responsible for his or her health during a flight: this is stipulated in clause 108 of FAP82 (“General Rules for Air Transportation”). However, if his ailments are too obvious or the airline staff may suspect a contagious infection, then the sick person will not be allowed into the cabin. Other clauses of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the Air Code apply here.

Among the main prohibitions on flying, three obvious conditions are usually mentioned::

• Disability. One plane cannot immediately accommodate several people with disabilities, for example, with strollers, etc.: it is worth checking in advance when booking whether there are other special passengers who have purchased tickets earlier.
• Viral infection. They may require a doctor's certificate stating that you are not contagious.
• Overweight. Here the air carrier may demand to buy two seats at once.

There is also a risk of being left behind for pregnant women. You should study the carrier’s internal rules on this issue: some prohibit flights from 7-8 months, others completely block access for almost the entire time.

Disease, take off. What are the dangers of frequent flights for the body? More details

Legs, arms, head

During a flight, blood circulation decreases, which can lead to swelling of the feet or ankles. Pregnant women and overweight people are at risk. It’s not for nothing that it’s recommended to stretch your legs during a flight. Simple exercises for the lower extremities are suitable for this, for example, rotational exercises in the ankle area. You can stretch your hands in the same way, which improves blood circulation.

If you get a headache during a flight, low humidity is to blame. It is this that causes dehydration of the body, which provokes cramps. To prevent this, drink more water. Even your skin can suffer from dehydration. To restore the skin's moisture balance, you can use moisturizing lotions.

Otolaryngologist at the medical ]“ON Clinic Dnepr”[/anchor] Natalia Poznyak explains:

“Often during a flight, adults and children experience stuffy ears. This occurs due to high air pressure. Chewing gum, lollipops, or yawning can help restore hearing. When you feel pain in the ear cavity during takeoff, this is inflammation, which indicates the development of an otolaryngological disease. In this case, you should consult a doctor upon arrival.”

Can someone with hypertension fly?

To minimize risks, you need to take into account in advance the possible deterioration of your health on board the aircraft. The danger of flying depends on the degree and stage of hypertension. If you feel normal and have a stable course of the disease, you can fly, but it is important to strictly follow the recommendations of your doctor. Flights are contraindicated for hypertensive patients who suffer from other diseases, namely:

• aortic aneurysm;
• pericarditis;
• ischemic disease;
• congenital heart defects;
• angina pectoris;
• respiratory tract diseases;
• leukocytosis;
• anemia.

Increased stress on the heart causes pain.
The younger and healthier a person is, the easier the blood vessels cope with overloads at altitude; accordingly, the longer a person suffers from hypertension, the worse the blood vessels react to physical activity. The elasticity of blood vessels can also be affected by high cholesterol levels, which reduce the ability of blood vessels and heart muscle to quickly respond to changes in pressure associated with acceleration, takeoff and landing. In such situations, hypertensive crises, heart rhythm disturbances, and pain in the heart area occur.

From heaven to earth: about children and pregnant women

Children and pregnant women are a special category of passengers, where the acceptability of a flight must be agreed upon with a doctor (pediatrician or gynecologist, respectively). Contraindications for children's flights include sinusitis and purulent otitis media, other hearing problems, lung and heart diseases. Doctors do not recommend pregnant women to fly if there is a risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or the development of fetal pathologies. Gynecologists do not approve of flying even when a pregnant woman is diagnosed with thrombosis.

During flight, a person is exposed to cosmic radiation, as scientific research proves. Passengers are exposed to almost the same dose of radiation as X-rays on a seven-hour flight from New York to London. This means that the consequences for the health of children and pregnant women can be negative, although today there are no accurate studies of this issue.

Tips for prevention

Before you set off, check your first aid kit and be sure to take a validol tablet. To prevent possible motion sickness, purchase a drug that prevents this phenomenon in advance. It is better to visit your doctor before your flight for advice and instructions.

Try not to eat foods that cause bloating or gas, and don't drink alcohol.

If possible, wear suitable clothing that will prevent blood clots from forming. These could be compression stockings or tights. Shoes should be comfortable.

When taking off and landing, it is better to turn on music and close your eyes

Changing time zones can also affect the body in a negative way! For those flying west (from the east), it is best to book a flight in the morning. If from west to east, then vice versa - in the evening.

Be sure to have a pre-flight examination to check your lungs and their capacity.

Check with your doctor: is it possible to fly with your blood pressure or is it better not to risk it? It may be better to postpone air travel for a while until your health condition improves. This applies primarily to those planning a long flight.

How to prepare for air travel for a person with high blood pressure

People with hypertension should be very careful about air travel in general and the choice of airline in particular. When purchasing air tickets, you need to make sure whether the plane has oxygen bags. If you don’t have one, you can take your own oxygen bag, purchased at a pharmacy, into the plane cabin and use it if necessary. Permission to carry it in hand luggage can be issued by the attending physician. It is better to choose aisle seats rather than window seats.

A few weeks before the flight, you need to be more attentive to your health: monitor changes in blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It is necessary that the person’s physical condition is stable, without deterioration. Poor health and air travel are incompatible. In this case, it is better to reschedule the flight to a later date. Additional studies in the form of ultrasound of the heart and blood vessels, ECG can also be performed if there are pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

Assembling a first aid kit with the necessary medications is a necessary element of preparation. In the first aid kit of a hypertensive patient, you need to put all the medications prescribed by your cardiologist. Sedatives will also be useful. In addition to changes in pressure during air travel, the main reason for the deterioration of a patient’s condition with hypertension is stress and fear of flying on an airplane. It is safer for people suffering from hypertension to fly with an accompanying person, with someone close to them whom the patient trusts.

About a week before the expected departure, you need to prepare your body. People with high blood pressure definitely need to get enough sleep and avoid overwork. Spend more time in the fresh air and do daily breathing exercises.

If there is a change in time zones during the flight, you also need to be prepared for this and gradually change your regime to the new time zone so that the process of adaptation and adjustment of the body’s biorhythms goes as easily and quickly as possible. It will be useful to follow a diet. Food should be easily digestible and low in calories. You should avoid alcohol and coffee, as they affect the degree of complications during air travel. It is better to drink plain still water. The human body should tune in to combat possible complications when flying on an airplane, and not to overcome the consequences of poor nutrition and alcohol consumption.

What to do during the flight?

You shouldn’t concentrate on altitude; it’s best to distract yourself and read a book, interesting magazines, solve crosswords or listen to soothing music through headphones. Throughout the trip, it is recommended to drink water in small sips frequently.

If you have a fear of heights, you should not sit by the window; it is better to choose a place closer to the entrance and take the most comfortable position. To avoid overloading the blood vessels, do not cross your legs. It's better to stretch both legs and relax.

In addition, to avoid swelling, you need to regularly bend and straighten your limbs, as well as change your body position. If possible, then every 30-40 minutes you need to get up and take slow walks on board the plane.

If during the flight your health suddenly worsens, you should contact the flight attendant as soon as possible. Flight attendants are trained in the rules of first aid for various pathologies, so they can quickly navigate and alleviate the condition of a hypertensive patient.

Rescue on board

All aircraft are preventively provided with special means that will save a person’s life. So, according to the provisions of the flight rules, there is a first aid kit on board. It must contain such tools as:

• Painkiller;
• Antiemetic;
• Diarrhea remedy;
• Antihistamines;
• Nasal drops;
• Antacids;
• Bandages and plasters;
• Thermometer;
• Resuscitation mask.

On larger planes, designed for a large number of passengers - at least 250 - the first aid kit may also contain syringes, IVs, catheters, a stethoscope and a blood pressure monitor. If necessary, they can even give birth on board: for this they have all the necessary tools, including an umbilical cord clamp.

Contraindications for flying

There is a fairly wide range of contraindications for traveling by air.

For informational purposes, below are presented not only cases that relate to arterial hypertension and cardiac pathology:

• severe respiratory failure with shortness of breath at rest;
• unstable angina;
• pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum;
• gastrointestinal bleeding;
• severe anemia - hemoglobin less than 75 g/l;
• uncontrolled arrhythmia and cardiac conduction disturbances (atrioventricular block, stage 3);
• severe congestive heart failure;
• period after myocardial infarction - most experts agree that the period of 21 days after illness is an absolute contraindication to flying;
• deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities until adequate preventive measures are taken (anticoagulant therapy or surgical treatment);
• pregnancy period is more than 36 weeks, also during the entire third trimester, if there is a history of premature birth or miscarriage;
• within 10 days after surgery on the abdominal organs (appendicitis, cholecystitis) and 3-4 weeks during thoracic surgery (lungs, coronary vessels, heart).

Any indication can be absolute or relative in a given situation. Always consult your doctor before traveling and inform him of the type of transport you plan to use.

Who is contraindicated from flying on airplanes?

Among people suffering from hypertension, there are those for whom flying on an airplane is strictly contraindicated. These are those who suffered a hypertensive crisis, heart attack or stroke less than six months ago. Pregnant women suffering from hypertension are also prohibited from flying.

If the patient has had a pacemaker installed, this is also a contraindication. A doctor can give such patients permission to fly. His acute heart disease does not give him the right to fly. It needs to be localized, since this form of the disease will only worsen the patient’s condition during air travel.

Of course, there are times in life when a patient flies somewhere for treatment, and flying by plane is a necessary measure. Here you need to compare all the risks, taking into account the general condition of the sick person, his blood pressure, as well as the presence of other concomitant diseases in the medical history. The attending physician must analyze everything, calculate the possible risks and give permission for air travel. It is even advisable to fly with a doctor or someone who can help a hypertensive patient if necessary.

Important information: Hypertensive patients and pregnant women should not drink: the main harm of mineral water has been identified

Video on the topic

About the effect of high and low atmospheric pressure on hypertensive patients in the video:

The safest type of transport will be a comfortable and reliable companion for a hypertensive patient only with the right approach. Following the recommendations when preparing for a flight, a preliminary medical examination and careful monitoring of blood pressure will make your trip absolutely harmless.

The information on the website is for reference and general information, collected from publicly available sources and cannot serve as a basis for making a decision on the use of medications in the course of treatment.

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It is physically difficult for people with hypertension and acute heart disease to fly by plane, although it is considered one of the most comfortable and fastest means of transport for long trips. Shaking and turbulence at high pressure cause dizziness, noise in the head, weakness, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Before buying a plane ticket, hypertensive patients should take into account all the risks so that the long-awaited trip does not turn into torture.

Medicines used during the flight

Before air travel, a person with hypertension should consult a specialist. If the doctor’s answer is positive about the trip, medications that quickly lower blood pressure are prescribed. Their list includes:

• Diuretics – relieve blood pressure due to their diuretic effect. The drug begins to act within 1 hour. Prohibited for patients with kidney disease.
• Beta blockers lower vascular tone and reduce the strength and number of heart contractions. The pressure decreases within 30 minutes.
• Inhibitors block enzymes that cause persistent increases in blood pressure. The action occurs within 15-60 minutes. Inhibitors have a more gentle effect on the kidneys.

In addition to medications that lower blood pressure, the first aid kit must include medications that relieve headaches and heart pain, sedatives, and ammonia.

It is more difficult to help a hypotensive patient than a hypertensive patient.

People suffering from low blood pressure (hypotonics) feel the weather's quirks better than any barometer.
As the atmospheric pressure drops, their vitality also drops to almost zero. However, few people take this disease seriously. But in vain. Together with cardiologist Tamara OGIEVA, we will try to understand the allegations that have already surrounded insidious hypotension. 1. “Low blood pressure is not hypertension. It will not lead to a heart attack. »

– Experienced cardiologists do not share such optimism. Yes, strokes most often occur against a background of high blood pressure. For heart attacks, pressure numbers do not always play a decisive role; what is more important is that the tone and patency of the coronary vessels is impaired, and there is a tendency to blood clots.

And yet, hypotension makes life very difficult: due to sluggish vascular tone, the supply of oxygen to the brain is disrupted, performance decreases, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and headaches occur.

Excitability, anxiety, sensitivity to cold, motion sickness in transport and a tendency to faint turn the life of a hypotensive patient into torture.

2. “Inherited hypotension”

– In many cases this is true. And yet, a decrease in blood pressure can be caused by other reasons. These are some diseases of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, cardiovascular and central nervous systems, as well as duodenal ulcers, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and anemia.

Professional factors must also be taken into account. Among hypotensive people there are many who are associated with hazardous work (in particular, long-term intoxication) and large overloads. Athletes, for example. The decrease in vascular tone in them is nothing more than a protective reaction of the body to constant physical activity.

3. “It’s good to regulate blood pressure with cognac. »

- God forbid! Expanding (and therefore lowering pressure) cognac can only worsen the condition. It is generally better for hypotensive patients to be careful with alcohol. Especially if, in addition to hypotension, you also suffer from vegetative-vascular dystonia (which, by the way, happens all the time). Indiscriminate doping will not bring any good to the already shaken nervous system of the vegetative.

Another thing is stimulants such as tinctures of Eleutherococcus, ginseng, Schisandra, and pantocrine. In addition to them, as well as traditional coffee and tea, everything salty increases blood pressure: herring, cucumbers, sauerkraut.

4. “Getting rid of hypotension is much easier than getting rid of hypertension. I drank some coffee and that was it.”

– Alas, fighting this scourge is sometimes much more difficult than dealing with hypertension. Especially when it comes to experienced hypotensive patients. According to cardiologists, over the years, structural changes occur in vessels experiencing constant pressure changes. And the hypotensive person becomes hypertensive. Even a slight increase in pressure is tolerated by him almost in the same way as a hypertensive crisis.

It is quite difficult to treat such conditions. When prescribing pressure-stabilizing drugs for hypotension, the doctor walks on a razor's edge: the slightest miscalculation is fraught with a sharp drop in blood pressure (collapse). And instant death.

Critical conditions and hypotension are also closely related: severe blood loss, acute heart failure, shock, and heat stroke are always associated with a drop in blood pressure.

5. “If you feel sick, take nitroglycerin”

– One of the most dangerous misconceptions on the topic of hypotension. There are many cases when, having slipped a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue of a pale or unconscious hypotensive patient, other compassionate citizens unwittingly sent him to the next world. Nitrates themselves greatly lower blood pressure. All antispasmodics also reduce it.

Taking the famous Viagra can also lead to tragic consequences. (Low blood pressure and decreased sexual function are links in the same chain.) In combination with hypotension, an already dilating elixir can cause severe collapse.

6. “It is impossible to get rid of hypotension” - By and large, this is true. Hypotension is like a holiday that is always with us. But it is possible and necessary to try to stabilize your blood pressure. How? The correct regime, proper sleep, giving up alcohol and smoking, frequent walks in the fresh air. An equally proven arsenal of remedies for hypotension is a daily contrast shower, adequate physical activity (swimming, running, skiing, aerobics), reflexology, massage sessions and a special diet with a high content of potassium (potatoes, eggplants, cabbage, apricots, prunes) and calcium.

And, most importantly, do not forget to consult your doctor.

BY THE WAY

Pressure below 100/60 mm Hg is considered low. column in men and 95/60 in women. If your home blood pressure monitor regularly shows this exact result, start taking action!

Effect on blood vessels

At high altitudes, atmospheric pressure and oxygen concentration in the environment decrease. The body tries to compensate for these fluctuations by spasming peripheral blood vessels and redirecting blood to vital organs. Thus, blood pressure and heart rate increase.

Thrombus in a vessel

Reduced blood flow in the lower extremities and pelvic organs promotes the formation of blood clots, which can migrate and cause blockage of the pulmonary artery.

This most serious and potentially fatal condition can be prevented by drinking enough fluids and taking short walks around the cabin every 2 hours.

Symptoms of changes in the body

Rising to a high altitude in an airplane, a person quickly finds himself in conditions of rarefied air and low pressure. The body feels discomfort and begins to fight it. External signs:

• pawns ears,
• lump in throat and constant desire to swallow,
• heart rate increases,
• headache,
• difficulty breathing,
• spasm in the stomach,
• nausea and vomiting.

Drinks offered by flight attendants immediately after gaining altitude, sweets with ascorbic acid, reading newspapers and programs on the monitor help overcome these symptoms.

By opening the mouth and swallowing, the passenger equalizes the air pressure inside the body, bringing it closer to the outside. Moisture also enters the respiratory system. Sweets activate the production of enzymes in the stomach for processing food and reduce muscle contraction.

Features of the course of hypotension and myths about blood pressure.

We continue to discuss problems associated with blood pressure, both low and high. There are many myths and misconceptions regarding blood pressure fluctuations that need to be addressed so that you can maintain your health.

Autumn hypotension. As we said earlier, hypotension is a low blood pressure. For men, hypotension will be a value below 100 per 65 mmHg, for women - below 95 per 60 mmHg. Most often, it is women who are susceptible to this condition due to their characteristics, both physiological and hormonal. Hypotension itself is not dangerous, but its consequences can be serious in the form that low blood pressure leads to insufficient blood circulation, as well as blood delivery to internal organs. This results in oxygen starvation of the brain tissue itself and many of the internal organs. Manifestations of hypotension will include bursting and pressing headaches in the temples and back of the head, as well as darkening in the eyes. There may be attacks of dizziness, which can even lead to fainting, drowsiness, lethargy and apathy. As a result of hypotension, memory may be impaired, performance may decrease, and sleep disturbances and irritability may occur.

There are many reasons for hypotension, but in particular for the one that develops seasonally, no matter how strange it may sound, the cause can be prolonged depression. In addition, this disease can often manifest itself against the background of the presence of peptic ulcer, endocrine and metabolic disorders, liver pathology and disorders of the biliary system. One of the most common causes of hypotension can be osteochondrosis in the cervical spine. Naturally, hypotension will be one of the symptoms of dystrophy and starvation, sudden weight loss, anemia (with sharply reduced hemoglobin), also one of the symptoms of infectious diseases and dehydration.