What Happens To Your Heart During A Flight? Doctor Shares Tips To Keep In Mind While Flying

Flying has become an essential part of modern travel, but have you ever wondered how it affects your body? From changes in blood pressure to the impact on your heart and circulation, air travel can take a toll on your system in ways many of us don’t realise. Cardiologist Dr Dmitry Yaranov recently shared a video on Instagram, breaking down what happens to your health during and after a flight, along with tips to stay healthy while travelling.

How Flight Impacts Your Health

We don’t pay much attention, but air travel puts your body through a lot. Recently, a heart doctor explained exactly what happens to your body during and after a flight, and why it matters for your health. Cardiologist Dr Dmitry Yaranov shared an informative Instagram post detailing how flying impacts your body and what you can do to stay healthy.

“Most people think flying is just sitting in a chair in the sky, but your body is doing real work up there,” he added in the post. He explained that cabin pressure drops during flights, lowering oxygen levels, which makes the heart work harder to deliver the same amount of oxygen.

That’s not all, the air inside the cabin is extremely dry, causing passengers to lose water just by breathing. Blood volume can decrease, making blood slightly thicker, while sitting for long periods slows circulation, leading to heavy or swollen legs. The airway lining also dries out, weakening the immune system barrier. Dr Yaranov noted that the “jet lag” feeling isn’t just about time zone changes but also physiological effects on the body.

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Few Tips That Can Help Protect Your Health

So, what can one do to maintain their body health during flights? The cardiologist shared a few tips from his own book that you can follow –
1. Stay hydrated before your flight. Dr Yaranov recommends drinking plenty of water before boarding, saying it’s better to “start ahead, not behind” when it comes to hydration.
2. You should also avoid salt intake and alcohol on flights, as they can thicken blood.
3. Try to stand or stretch (if possible) every hour to keep the blood circulation moving.
4. Use a saline nasal spray before takeoff to protect your immune defence.
5. Make sure you walk a bit after landing to reset blood flow and oxygen delivery.
6. Try to nourish your body before the flight, especially on the long ones. It’s best to eat actual meals instead of relying on flight/airport snacks.

Also Read: Italy Makes Air Travel Easier For Pet Parents: Bigger Dogs Can Now Fly In The Cabin

We hope this information was helpful to you all.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Mojo_cp