Should I fly if I have shortness of breath?
Should I fly if I have shortness of breath?
Talk With Your Doctor About Traveling
It's easier to stay healthy while traveling if you are in good health before you go. Before traveling, you should talk with your health care provider if you have breathing problems and you: Are short of breath most of the time.
Does flying make shortness of breath worse?
The air is 'thinner' because the pressure is less and, as a result, there is less oxygen. In fact, the concentration of oxygen falls from 21% at sea level, to about 15%. Most people will tolerate this, but, if you already have problems breathing, this will become worse.
Is it safe to fly with shortness of breath?
Talk With Your Doctor About Traveling It's easier to stay healthy while traveling if you are in good health before you go. Before traveling, you should talk with your health care provider if you have breathing problems and you: Are short of breath most of the time.
What conditions stop you from flying?
Who should not travel by air? Diseases that prevent you from boarding a plane
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- A recent stroke.
- Infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, influenza or even COVID-19.
- A recent surgery.
- A pregnancy of over 28 weeks.
- Angina (chest pain at rest)
Do oxygen levels drop flying?
Traveling by airplane exposes people to decreased air pressure and lower than normal oxygen levels. For most people, these changes are not noticeable.
Is a oxygen level of 92 good to fly?
Resting Pulse Oximetry
Values >95% on room air suggest that inflight hypoxemia is unlikely and that further evaluation is likely not necessary. Patients with saturations <92% on room air at rest should receive supplemental oxygen inflight, because they are at high risk of hypoxemia at altitude.