Sipping a cocktail on your next long-haul flight may be a less heart-healthy decision than you think, scientists have warned. Most of us enjoy marking the start of our holiday with an alcoholic drink onboard, and it's quite common to nap during these lengthy journeys. However, new findings from a investigation suggest that the mix of high altitude cabin pressure and in-flight alcohol could place unnecessary strain on the hearts of even younger passengers who are asleep.
This cocktail of factors is believed to reduce blood oxygen levels while accelerating the heart rate. Scientists from the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Germany voiced their concerns: "The on-board consumption of alcohol is an underestimated health risk that could be easily avoided," they said. "It may be beneficial to consider altering regulations to restrict the access to alcoholic beverages on board aeroplanes.
" The study raises fears over in-flight cardiac issues as statistics show heart-related complications account for seven per cent of all in-flight medical emergencies. Moreover, cardiac arrests drive 58 per cent of all cases where planes are diverted. As published in Thorax journal, the researchers highlighted that hypobaric environments are known to lessen blood-oxygen levels and quicken the heart rate, reports Bristol Live .
These experts further emphasised that air passengers with pre-existing heart conditions pose higher risks of exacerbated symptoms due to the lesser cabin pressure at cruising.