High Blood Pressure and Air Travel

Blood Pressure And FlyingDVT as a result of flying are more likely to have
Are you taking blood pressure medication? Are youtraveled a long distance and travel frequently. They
worried about flying? Well then the news is good. Ifdo not necessary have to have a preexisting
you have high blood pressure that is controlled bycondition such as hypertension but if you do have
medications, flying is just as safe for you as any ofhigher blood pressure than normal then you might be
the other passengers on board. There is no evidencemore at risk.
that any prescription medication for hypertension willIf you develop a DVT then the treatment is bed
affect your health when flying. Airplane cabins arerest with the leg elevated above their heart.
pressurized so a passenger with high blood pressureAnticoagulants will be prescribed to thin the blood clot
is in no danger from a health view point.as well as clot dissolving medications. The blood clot
The things to consider when flying with high bloodshould be gone with in 48 hours after receiving the
pressure problems are more along the lines ofmedication. In the event that a complication arises
developing a sudden medical problem while 40,000such as an embolism (a piece of the clot that breaks
feet above the ground but hey - anyone canaway from the thrombus and travels through the
suddenly have a heart attack or asthma attackbody) then surgery will be required to save the
without warning so blood pressure and flying shouldpatients life. The main concern with the embolus is
not be a reason to keep anyone grounded.that it reaches the lungs and becomes a pulmonary
But if you have problems with hypertension and ifembolism - this can be fatal if treatment is not
your BP is not being properly controlled byaggressively and promptly delivered.
medication, then its best not to fly until your doctorThe best way to avoid a DVT while flying is to walk
gives the go ahead. This is not because flying willup and down the aisle of the plane every half an
increase your blood pressure but more because ofhour or so. You might also want to buy some flight
the potential stress factors that await all travelers.socks to improve your circulation and stop the blood
Just think: delayed flights, long security lines, missinggetting static in the veins.
your connection, hassles at customs, the outrageousJust because you suffer from high blood pressure
price for a bottle of water, the kicking screamingdoes not mean you have to stop doing the things
child in the seat behind yours - the list goes on andyou enjoy. Take it one step at a time and get your
on. All of these can cause stress and stress, ofBP under control with medication, change your diet
course, will increase your blood pressure!and start exercising; eventually, you may be able to
Deep Vein Thrombosis and Flyingeliminate the medication if you stick to your lifestyle
DVT or deep vein thrombosis is more of an issue forchanges. In the meantime, do all that you can to try
people with high BP while flying. DVT is a blood clotand remove stress from your life and take the time
that develops in the legs. People who experienceto enjoy life!