{"title":"Hearts in the sky: understanding the cardiovascular implications of air travel.","authors":"Tavishi Katoch, Sravya Pinnamaneni, Raunak Medatwal, Fnu Anamika, Kanishk Aggarwal, Shreya Garg, Rohit Jain","doi":"10.1080/14796678.2024.2396257","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Air travel is widely regarded as the safest mode of transportation, with the United States leading in airline passengers. However, travelers with pre-existing heart conditions face acute cardiovascular risks. Flight pilots and cabin crew are particularly vulnerable to air travel's physiological changes, which can significantly impair their health and performance. Cabin pressure differences and reduced oxygen levels at cruising altitudes of 5000-8000 feet make air travel challenging for individuals with underlying cardiac and pulmonary problems. This, along with dry air, sleep deprivation, missed medication and prolonged sitting, can lead to physiological changes. In-flight and pre-flight stressors contribute to increased health issues, and studies show a rise in medical emergencies during flights. Prolonged exposure to the airplane environment can lead to various health issues for pilots and cabin crew. These changes include impaired judgment, cognitive function and discomfort in the sinuses and ears due to pressure differentials. Therefore, thorough medical screening, skilled instrument use and compliance with safety measures are essential to mitigate these risks. This article reviews the cardiac implications of air travel, discussing the underlying pathophysiology, associated risks and preventive measures to ensure safer flights for individuals with cardiovascular diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":12589,"journal":{"name":"Future cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"651-660"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11520545/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Future cardiology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14796678.2024.2396257","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/9/20 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Air travel is widely regarded as the safest mode of transportation, with the United States leading in airline passengers. However, travelers with pre-existing heart conditions face acute cardiovascular risks. Flight pilots and cabin crew are particularly vulnerable to air travel's physiological changes, which can significantly impair their health and performance. Cabin pressure differences and reduced oxygen levels at cruising altitudes of 5000-8000 feet make air travel challenging for individuals with underlying cardiac and pulmonary problems. This, along with dry air, sleep deprivation, missed medication and prolonged sitting, can lead to physiological changes. In-flight and pre-flight stressors contribute to increased health issues, and studies show a rise in medical emergencies during flights. Prolonged exposure to the airplane environment can lead to various health issues for pilots and cabin crew. These changes include impaired judgment, cognitive function and discomfort in the sinuses and ears due to pressure differentials. Therefore, thorough medical screening, skilled instrument use and compliance with safety measures are essential to mitigate these risks. This article reviews the cardiac implications of air travel, discussing the underlying pathophysiology, associated risks and preventive measures to ensure safer flights for individuals with cardiovascular diseases.
期刊介绍:
Research advances have contributed to improved outcomes across all specialties, but the rate of advancement in cardiology has been exceptional. Concurrently, the population of patients with cardiac conditions continues to grow and greater public awareness has increased patients" expectations of new drugs and devices. Future Cardiology (ISSN 1479-6678) reflects this new era of cardiology and highlights the new molecular approach to advancing cardiovascular therapy. Coverage will also reflect the major technological advances in bioengineering in cardiology in terms of advanced and robust devices, miniaturization, imaging, system modeling and information management issues.