What is the last cocktail order on an airplane?
Researchers are calling for a limit on alcoholic drinks on planes after finding that airline passengers who drink alcohol before falling asleep on long-haul flights are at risk of damaging their heart health.
The combination of alcohol consumption and cabin pressure at cruising altitude could have a negative impact on the hearts of dozing passengers, according to a new published study. Respiratory Journal “Thorax” Monday.
According to researchers at the German Institute for Aerospace Medicine, this combination reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and increases heart rate for longer periods, even in young, healthy people.
“Increased alcohol intake may amplify these effects and increase the risk of health complications and medical emergencies during flights, especially among older and elderly people.
“Having pre-existing medical conditions,” the study authors wrote.
“Our findings strongly suggest that consumption of alcoholic beverages on board should be restricted,” the researchers added.
To conduct their study, the researchers tested 48 people aged between 18 and 40 years old.
Half of the subjects, the control group, napped in a sleep lab under normal conditions, while the other half slept in an altitude chamber that mimicked the pressure of an airplane cabin at cruising altitude.
On one night, both groups went to bed without drinking any alcohol, and on the other night, each drank alcohol before going to bed.
The researchers tested each person’s heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep stages and efficiency.
The researchers found that moderate alcohol consumption and the “in-flight” condition increased the heart rate and reduced blood oxygen levels in the sleeping subjects.
When the two factors were combined, individuals experienced higher levels of efficacy.
“Taken together, these results suggest that even in young, healthy individuals, the combination of alcohol consumption and sleeping at low pressure places a substantial strain on the cardiac system and may lead to worsening symptoms in patients with cardiac and pulmonary disease,” the study authors wrote.
It added that air travelers with sleep apnea or respiratory conditions should avoid drinking alcohol for 12 hours before and during the flight.
However, the researchers concluded that even young, healthy people should avoid drinking alcohol in airports and on planes.
Young, healthy adults tested in the study experienced severe, long-term reductions in oxygen levels in their bloodstream, increased heart rate and disrupted sleep after drinking alcohol and then napping in an airplane cabin.
“Our findings suggest that alcohol consumption on aircraft may be an underestimated health risk that is easily avoidable,” the authors concluded.
“Healthcare workers, passengers and crew should be informed of the potential risks and it may be beneficial to consider regulatory changes to restrict the availability of alcoholic beverages on board.”
