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Anticipating a holiday prompts many air travelers to indulge in a celebratory drink followed by a snooze during their flight.
However, a recent study suggests rethinking this practice is in order.
Researchers in Germany have linked the practice of consuming alcohol and sleeping on a plane, due to the effects of in-flight cabin pressure, to potential cardiac strain for passengers.
They found that sleeping while under the influence of alcohol at the typical cabin pressures found in-flight caused a meaningful dip in blood oxygen levels and an uptick in heart rate—this being true even among the young and fit.
“We did not anticipate the strength of the impact,” said Dr Eva-Maria Elmenhorst, one of the study’s co-authors, in her discussion with Sky’s US partner network NBC News. “Please abstain from alcohol consumption during your flight.”
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The findings, published in Thorax, indicate that individuals with pre-existing heart conditions could see their symptoms worsen owing to the reduced pressure in airplane cabins at cruise altitude—a situation compounded by sleep.
Similarly, alcohol has adverse effects, they note.
“The in-flight consumption of alcoholic beverages poses unacknowledged health risks that could be easily avoided,” stated the team from the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Germany. They suggested that it might be worth reviewing the rules around alcohol availability aboard airplanes.
The study involved measuring the impact of alcohol consumption and sleep in a low-pressure, or hypobaric, setting. The team observed 48 subjects, aged 18 to 40, over two consecutive nights in different conditions—one in a sleep laboratory and another in an altitude chamber—with alcohol consumed before one of the nights.
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While Dr. Elmenhorst acknowledged that the young and healthy demographic may not face significant cardiac damage from in-flight alcohol consumption, the combination of lower oxygen saturation and increased heart rate could aggravate existing health conditions.
The study demonstrated that the mix of alcohol and the hypoxic environment of high altitudes compromised sleep quality, exerted pressure on the cardiovascular system, and lengthened the time span for which individuals experienced reduced blood oxygen levels.
The researchers concluded that even in youthful, robust people, “alcohol intake in conjunction with sleep under hypobaric conditions markedly stresses the heart and might worsen symptoms in those with heart or lung diseases.”
According to Dr. Elmenhorst, due to the substantial lowering of oxygen saturation during sleep, “I would suggest refraining from alcohol consumption even in the case of healthy individuals.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is it bad to drink alcohol and then take a nap on a plane?
- According to the study, when people drink alcohol and nap on a plane, the combination of cabin pressure at cruise altitude and alcohol can lead to lower blood oxygen levels and an increase in heart rate, stressing the heart—even in young and healthy individuals.
- What are the potential risks for individuals with pre-existing conditions?
- Individuals with heart or lung diseases could experience an exacerbation of symptoms due to decreased oxygen levels and the additional strain on the heart during sleep after alcohol consumption.
- Should people avoid drinking alcohol completely on flights?
- While the study’s sample consisted of healthy young individuals, the recommendation from Dr. Eva-Maria Elmenhorst is to avoid drinking alcohol during flights to prevent potential strain on the heart. This advice is especially pertinent for people with existing medical conditions.
- What was the purpose of the study conducted by the German researchers?
- The study aimed to assess the effects of alcohol consumption and sleep in a hypobaric (low-pressure) environment similar to the conditions found at cruise altitude during flights.
- Is it possible for airlines to restrict access to alcohol on board?
- While there is no universal regulation as of now, the researchers from the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Germany suggested that it might be beneficial to consider changes to regulations that would restrict alcohol availability on board flights.
