Why are people with congestive heart failure not supposed to fly in airplanes?
87873
Generally it's due to the stress of a long trip on someone with heart failure. This depends on the severity of the disease. Also CHF is a risk factor for DVT (deep venous thrombosis) a blood clot in the leg. Long airline travel can lead to a PE (pulmonary embolus) the clot can travel to and become lodged in a persons lung. More information and better answers are best obtained from your physician, who knows your condition.
356446
You’ve just settled in for a long, relaxing flight. But then you start to feel pressure and discomfort in your ears. There’s some pain. And sounds are somewhat muffled. You may be experiencing a condition known as airplane ear.\nEar pain associated with flying is due to unequal pressure between your middle ear and the cabin of the airplane. Normally, the eustachian tube, which connects your middle ear to the back of your nose and throat, equalizes the pressure. But if the tube is blocked because of congestion or some other problem, the unequal pressure on your eardrum may impair your hearing and cause ringing in your ear (tinnitus), dizziness and ear pain. If the eustachian tube is completely blocked, pressure changes may be severe enough to cause fluid buildup, ruptured capillaries and bleeding in your middle ear.
918597
That happens to me too, after I make any sudden movements. I don't think you're going to drop dead from a heart attack any second now, but I do think if you don't do something about it it could lead to heart/chest problems later in life. I'm assuming it's your heart, unless you have a broken upper rib right in the middle of your chest. It's good that you've gone to a doctor to check things out, because you're better safe than sorry. If looking to be on the safe side, you should probably just drink lots of water and eat bananas or something because water flushes all of the bad toxins out of your body.
11899
Venturing a guess here:\n\nCholesterol hardens you veins, and birds, due to the energy requirements of flight, need incredibly high blood pressure.  Bird lungs have a seperate entrance and exit, unlike mammalian lungs where CO2 goes out the same way O2 comes in.  The higher effeciency is necessary to power the large pectoral muscles.  I'd imagine that if there oxygen demands were that high, they'd need some strong blood vessels to carry their blood at high pressure.
875977
My Dr. and I just discusses this last week. Not all people who go through that are going through it due to being lazy. I have limited things i can do as of exercise as i was a passenger in a car accident that almost broke my neck. My feet are bad and i can't walk much or use a tread mill.\n\nDr. talked about this due to trying to help me lower my blood pressure, diabetes, high cholestrol, ect.\n\n I will review all the info here and all the sites you listed and talk to my Dr. again. Thank you Ziggy for your information.
810376
Cardiomyopathy, which literally means "heart muscle disease", is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium (i.e., the actual heart muscle) for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and/or sudden cardiac death.[1]\n\nCardiomyopathies can generally be categorized into two groups, based on World Health Organization guidelines: extrinsic cardiomyopathies and intrinsic cardiomyopathies.\n\nsee link for more details\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiomyopathy
759020
It is a part of stress response. your body diverts blood flow to the brain/musculoskeletal syatems for "fight or flight". The body's digestive, elimination and reproductive systems are a low priority for stimulation/metabolic activity because the body is focused on survival.
437928
Heart failure is a common problem and any competent physician (especially a cardiologist) can deal with it.  It is a chronic problem that will require much medication optimization over the years and thus having someone local to care for her is probably better than trying to travel very far for an opinion. All of these big hospitals function as consultative centers anyway...they will expect you to have a doctor at home to follow their recommendations and again, the heart failure management goes way beyond one visit recommendation.  If you do take her places, obviously the Mayo Clinic is one of the best.
1054157
Yes.There are many reasons why.\n* Congenital heart disease\n*High blood pressure\n*other health issues such as Diabetes,morbid obesity,aneroxia,bullimia\n*drug abuse(all drugs,whether they are legal or illegal can be abused)\n*A high fat,high calorie,high sodium,high cholesterol diet and very little exercise
268039
It helps them breath easier.  Actually most people in distress will put themselves in this position without being told by anyone.  It helps them take deeper more effective breaths.  I have seen asthmatic patients do it as well.
433078
I am confused by your question.  Specifically in your use of the word "pulmonary" (which means lung).  There are three things that come to mind with this term and heart disease - all very different.\n\n1.  Congenital pulmonary valve defect - the valve going out of your heart on the way to the lungs is not working correctly.\n\n2.  Primary pulmonary hypertension - the blood pressure within the vessels going to and coming from the lungs is higher than normal putting abnormal pressures on the chambers of the heart to pump blood.\n\n3.  Chronic Obustructive Pulmonary Disease - like emphysema or chronic bronchitis.  Hyperinflation of the lungs can have a similiar effect as well as the blood not getting adequate oxygenation, impairing the heart further.\n\nDo you know anything else about her condition?  Was it sudden?  What she a smoker?  Did she require oxygen before she passed?  Did she have a heart murmur?  How old was she?  I'm not sure what to think about the cause of death but more information would be helpful in answering your question.
960673
Symptoms of heart failure start to happen when your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body. In the early stages, you may:\n\nBe short of breath when you are active. \nFeel like your heart is pounding or racing (palpitations). \nFeel weak, very tired, or dizzy. \nAs heart failure gets worse, fluid starts to build up in your lungs and other parts of your body. This may cause you to:\n\nFeel short of breath even at rest. \nHave swelling (edema), especially in your legs, ankles, and feet. \nGain weight. This may happen over just a day or two, or more slowly. \nCough or wheeze, especially when you lie down. \nNeed to urinate more at night. \nFeel bloated or sick to your stomach. \nIf your symptoms suddenly get worse, you will need emergency care.
1144122
You should speak with your doctor to see what he/she recommends but many people who are quite ill travel on planes all the time. \nSince the air is recycled I'd wear a mask and ask your doc if you could take some airborne both ways on the trip. \n\nThe one and only time I did not get sick on the plane/cruise was when I went to Arizona last year and took Airborne both ways. Its worth a try if the doc says its safe for you.
543286
There is nothing to worry about this. Everything will be fine; and this is a common disease among the people. There are two types in this MVP.\n\nHowever just leave it out; contact ICAO for information on this regarding the civil aviation and check with your company.\n\nHowever MVP means you cannot be a Combat Pilot
319690
For most people, the signs are so subtle they never realize they have "heart trouble" until their doctor discovers the fact during a checkup, or they have a heart attack.\n\nMost heart attack sufferers never had a clue until WHAM!  And down they go.  That's why it's so important to learn how to lower your personal risk of coronary disease.  Contact the American Heart Association for lots of FREE information and ideas!  Look 'em up in the phone book or Google 'em to find a number to call.
757252
if you were told by the cardio to limit fluids then i would go with that.  he might know if there is a bit of heart failure that would need the fluid limitations.
167244
Because his stress level is lower and therefore his blood pressure and therefore he is not as much at risk for many diseases.  Or so the doctors say.  My husband might disagree!!!