Drinking alcohol on planes can place serious strain on the heart, according to a new study by German scientists. The findings, published in Thorax journal, will make sorry reading for the many holidaymakers who like to celebrate the start of a vacation with a tipple and a snooze on the journey. In fact, the risk of unwanted cardiovascular effects is so high, that the research team, based at Cologne’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine, recommends to avoid alcohol consumption while flying altogether, even for young and healthy passengers.
Strong effect
The low air pressure atmosphere experienced on board aircraft cruising at altitude causes a drop in blood oxygen and an increase in heart rate, which can be hazardous for people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. But the researchers have now found that effect is exacerbated by the consumption of alcohol and when passengers fall asleep.
We were surprised to see that the effect was so strong. Please don’t drink alcohol while being on an airplane.
Dr Eva-Maria Elmenhorst, study’s co-author, told NBC News
48 people aged between 18 and 40 took part in the Institute’s study, which involved two nights’ sleep in two different environments – a sleep laboratory and a hypobaric altitude chamber. On one of the nights, participants consumed alcohol before going to sleep. It was the combination of the altitude chamber’s low pressure and alcohol that caused the most alarming effects, presenting challenges to the subjects’ cardiovascular systems due to extended periods of low blood oxygen, the researchers said.
Stay hydrated and mindful
“The on-board consumption of alcohol is an underestimated health risk that could be easily avoided,” the team concluded, even going as far as to suggest changing the rules about consuming in-flight booze, saying “it may be beneficial to consider altering regulations to restrict the access to alcoholic beverages on board.”
Speaking to Fox News about the findings, Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at New York’s Langone Medical Center, said the study, while informed by a small sample size, “showed that the ability to compensate for cabin oxygen pressure lowering in flight is worsened both by sleep and by alcohol.”
He recommends staying well hydrated, along with other experts who caution those who suffer with sleep apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulminary Disease or obesity against drinking alcohol pre-flight or in-flight and to avoid other drugs that place strain on the heart, including sleep aids, nicotine and marijuana. Alternative solutions to the stress of travel include practising mindfulness, reading and eating a healthy meal on board, doctors say.
