Together, this can reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood (SpO2) and increase heart rate over the long term, the study published online in the respiratory journal Thorax showed.
This may be aggravated by excess alcohol consumption, especially in the elderly with pre-existing medical conditions.
"Atmospheric pressure decreases rapidly with altitude, causing blood oxygen saturation levels to drop to about 90 percent (73 hPa) in healthy travelers at altitude," said researchers at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne, Germany.
Further fall in SpO2 is defined as hypobaric hypoxia.
The researchers suggest "considering limiting alcohol on long-haul flights," saying, "Alcohol relaxes the walls of blood vessels, causing increased heart rate during sleep, an effect similar to hypobaric hypoxia." Is."
The study randomly allocated 48 people into two groups (one at sea level) and the other half into an altitude chamber, which mimics cabin pressure at cruising altitude (2,438 meters above sea level).
Twelve people in each group slept for 4 hours after drinking and without drinking alcohol.
"The results indicate that even in young and healthy individuals, alcohol consumption combined with sleeping under hypobaric conditions exerts a significant strain on the cardiovascular system and may aggravate symptoms in patients with cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases," the researchers said. ,
This may be aggravated by excess alcohol consumption, especially in the elderly with pre-existing medical conditions.
"Atmospheric pressure decreases rapidly with altitude, causing blood oxygen saturation levels to drop to about 90 percent (73 hPa) in healthy travelers at altitude," said researchers at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne, Germany.
Further fall in SpO2 is defined as hypobaric hypoxia.
The researchers suggest "considering limiting alcohol on long-haul flights," saying, "Alcohol relaxes the walls of blood vessels, causing increased heart rate during sleep, an effect similar to hypobaric hypoxia." Is."
The study randomly allocated 48 people into two groups (one at sea level) and the other half into an altitude chamber, which mimics cabin pressure at cruising altitude (2,438 meters above sea level).
Twelve people in each group slept for 4 hours after drinking and without drinking alcohol.
"The results indicate that even in young and healthy individuals, alcohol consumption combined with sleeping under hypobaric conditions exerts a significant strain on the cardiovascular system and may aggravate symptoms in patients with cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases," the researchers said. ,
