What is the air pressure in the plane. Aircraft pressure control system

Last modified: February 14th, 2018 at 01:07 pm

Our modern travels cannot be imagined without an airplane. Air travel is a fast, very convenient way to travel. With the onset of the holiday season, this type of transportation is the most popular, as many go to rest where it is easier and faster to get there by plane. But the flight is often accompanied by stressful conditions, physical and moral. And this is not only a fear of flying.

Pregnant women should be wary of this type of transport. Passengers with young children should also be careful. But these restrictions are temporary: a woman is pregnant for only 9 months, children grow up sooner or later. But what to do for people who have chronic diseases?

Anyone in flight has to face a lack of air, pressure drops, his body lacks oxygen. In a person suffering from high blood pressure, this will cause much more problems than in a healthy one.

Hypertensive patients flying on an airplane is quite dangerous, but quite possible. This requires careful preparation. A disease like hypertension is very common among people. In this article, we analyze whether hypertensive blood pressure rises or falls when flying on an airplane.

In the history of aviation, there have been cases when for a person who has diseases of the cardiovascular system and high blood pressure, the flight was fatal. Even more often, heart attacks and strokes occur in people with hypertension. Even healthy people feel a change in atmospheric pressure during takeoff and landing. When you climb, the atmospheric pressure outside sharply decreases, the amount of oxygen on board the aircraft entering the body drops.

This occurs at an altitude of about 3 kilometers and above. Shortness of breath, characteristic of arterial hypertension, increases, the risk of arrhythmia, tachycardia increases. There is a headache, nausea. Vessels also suffer from pressure drops. Blood thickens, blood pressure rises, which increases the load on the walls of blood vessels. For people with hypertension, there is a risk of thrombosis. On the plane with prolonged sitting, swelling and pain in the legs appear. At an emotional level, a person may experience a panic feeling of fear.

Who is contraindicated to fly on airplanes

Among people suffering from hypertension, there are those who are categorically contraindicated flying on an airplane. These are those who less than six months ago suffered a hypertensive crisis, heart attack or stroke. It is also forbidden to fly pregnant women suffering from hypertension.

If a pacemaker was set for the patient, then this is also a contraindication. A flight permit may be issued to such patients by a physician. An acute heart disease does not give him the right to fly by plane. It needs to be localized, since this form of the course of the disease will only worsen the patient’s condition during air travel.

Of course, there are moments in life when the patient flies somewhere for treatment, and flying on an airplane is a necessary measure. Here you need to compare all the risks, given the general condition of the sick person, his blood pressure, as well as the presence of other concomitant diseases in the history of the disease. All to analyze, calculate the possible risks and give permission for air travel should be the attending physician. It is advisable to even fly with a doctor or with one who will be able to help hypertension if necessary.

Imagine that you are comfortably seated in an airplane chair and enjoy the flight, dreaming of an upcoming vacation on the seashore or of a meeting with loved ones. And in order to make it convenient and comfortable for you, as well as on the ground, airliners have special systems responsible for the air quality in the cabin.

Passenger planes fly at an altitude of 9 to 12 thousand meters. It all depends on the model, since each of them has its own “ideal” height, at which the liner spends the minimum amount of fuel and experiences little resistance. After the plane took off and gained altitude, it finds itself in atmospheric air, the parameters of which are very different from those at the surface. The air that is in the cabin is enough for about 15-20 minutes of flight, and then the oxygen content in it drops and it becomes impossible to breathe. But in order to add fresh air to the cabin, you can’t just open the hatch for ventilation. The fact is that the oxygen content at this height decreases to 7-8%, while at the bottom this figure is 21%. And atmospheric pressure overboard (the second no less important indicator of air) is reduced to 170-250 mm. Hg. Art., instead of the usual for us 740-760 mm. Hg. Art.

But with an increase in height, even with a constant percentage of air components, the partial pressure of oxygen decreases, which leads to a general decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood of a person, and of any other living creature. Therefore, it is not enough to simply enrich the atmospheric air with oxygen;

To ensure comfortable conditions in all airliners, a special air conditioning system works. The system takes the air that is located overboard and compresses it with the help of compressors. Due to this, the oxygen density in it rises to acceptable values. At the same time, the temperature parameters are aligned to a comfortable level.

As for pressure, a lower pressure is maintained in the cabin of the airliner than what corresponds to the level of the airport. As a rule, this is 600-650 mm. Hg. Art., which corresponds to an altitude of 1300-1800 meters above sea level. It is believed that this is the lower limit of atmospheric air pressure that is comfortable for humans.

But the air conditioning system has one significant drawback: the air entering the cabin is too dry. Sparse in the atmosphere, it contains less moisture, and is drained additionally when delivered to the salon. This is done so that in the pipes of the air conditioning system the ice does not freeze, which can lead to its blockage. Therefore, some passengers experience constant thirst during the flight, and also complain of dryness in their eyes and throat.

Perhaps you already have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat you should not do on the plane, so as not to be the most unpleasant passenger. For example, you should not watch a movie on your tablet without headphones or eat strongly smelling food. But the rest of the subtleties are not so obvious. If you cannot call yourself an experienced traveler, check out a list of things you can't do to feel more confident.

Do not sleep while taking off or landing

When the plane rises or falls, the pressure around changes faster than inside the ears. Every person who has ever flown an airplane knows that this is very unpleasant, but this is only a temporary sensation. To even the pressure, use chewing gum. You can also inhale slowly, squeeze your mouth and nose and try to exhale, eat a candy or yawn. And most importantly - it is worth while staying awake. If you sleep during a pressure change, the discomfort will subsequently be very severe. You may then experience dizziness, an ear infection, mild hearing loss, damage to the eardrum, and nosebleeds. In the worst case, hearing problems can be very serious and lasting. So it’s better not to fall asleep at important moments of the flight.

Do not sit all flight without movement

Reduced pressure inside the cabin leads to a significant slowdown in blood circulation, which can cause blood clots, especially in the legs. If you are in a sitting position, the situation is exacerbated. This is especially dangerous for girls taking contraceptives, because such medications increase the risk of thrombosis. In order not to risk health and avoid the occurrence of blood clots that can enter the lungs, brain or heart, it is worth getting up and moving from time to time. Of course, some are just too lazy, and someone got a place at the window itself, but this is really important. If you can pre-select a seat, choose a chair by the aisle. If you can’t get up in any way, just try lifting your heels, leaving your fingers on the floor, and then vice versa. Tighten your leg muscles and relax them. Repeat these simple movements regularly throughout the flight. Constantly change your pose, move your legs every time you think about it. Do not take sleeping pills - it immobilizes a person and increases the danger.

Do not fall asleep if you fly to where daytime will be upon arrival

If you fall asleep on the way, it will be especially difficult for you to adapt to a new time zone. You spoil yourself all day after the flight. Just rearrange the time on the watch according to your destination as soon as you find yourself on the plane. And behave accordingly. If the clock is night, sleep. If it’s day, do your usual activities, even if it’s dark outside.

Do not forget to drink water

The air in the cabin is very dry. With each exhalation, your body loses moisture, so even motionless sitting at this height still means the risk of dehydration. If a stewardess passes by, do not forget to ask her for a glass of water.

Do not order tea or coffee

And the point is not that coffee is the only name in such a drink. Drinks are made from water flowing in a plane from a tap, and it can contain a variety of bacteria. Twelve percent of aircraft are infected with bacteria that are completely safe if you have strong immunity, but if you are weakened, they can be a threat. So do not take risks, it is better to drink water from a bottle. Do not take drinks with ice if it is made from airplane water.

Do not drink carbonated drinks

Differential pressure leads to the fact that the gases in the body increase in volume by a whole quarter. The same thing happens with carbonated drinks, so their consumption can lead to discomfort. Avoid such drinks if you do not want to detect swelling after a flight.

Do not drink alcohol

Alcohol can help you relax and fall asleep, but the quality of sleep will not be high. In addition, your body will be dehydrated, and then you will get a hangover, accompanied by irritation and drowsiness. It’s better not to drink on alcohol until you go down to the ground upon arrival, even if its price is included in the ticket price, and the air hostess’s offer seems extremely tempting.

Do not overeat with airplane food

Of course, if you are hungry, you should eat, and it doesn’t matter if you are on the plane or not. But just to eat all the food from the tray out of boredom makes no sense. And you will get less pleasure - dry air in the cabin and low pressure reduce the ability to feel salty and sweet tastes by several tens of percent, which makes the taste of food unpleasant. And the noise of the engines does not contribute to appetite. It has been proven that surroundings can affect your perception of tastes. Some airlines try to compensate for this by overloading dishes, but in this case you will get an excess of salt in the body. Therefore, it is better to abstain from food on the plane and eat only during very long flights, when you are really hungry, and not trying to get distracted.

Do not eat what fell on the folding table

It has been proven that folding tables are the dirtiest areas on an entire airplane. Some passengers change their diapers for their children directly on these tables. Given this fact, it is hardly worth eating from the same surface. Of course, employees must wipe tables between flights, but it is impossible to thoroughly check the cleanliness. If you have not wiped the table with an antibacterial cloth, it is better not to eat what woke up on it. No food is worth the danger that such an act can be fraught with.

Do not touch the safety belt

The safety belts also have enough bacteria. Of course, it is absolutely necessary to fasten your seat belt, but you should not touch the belt after this. Control yourself if you have the habit of tugging something in your hands when you think. You can wipe your hands with an antibacterial gel when you fasten the belt fastener, and after that, try not to remember about it.

Don't go barefoot

Of course, it’s nice to relax completely, especially if the flight lasts all night or is just very long. Nevertheless, you should not walk barefoot - even if the floor is clean, you can step on the trash scattered by passengers or leftover food. In addition, this is somewhat disrespectful to other passengers. And if you plan to go to the toilet, then it’s dangerous - you can slip barefoot on the splattered floor.

Do not tolerate if you want to use the toilet

It’s hard to call the toilet on the plane the peak of comfort, but you don’t have to endure it either. During the flight, urine left in the bladder can lead to infection, which will turn your vacation into a nightmare. So do not try to wait for the end of the flight due to squeamishness - get up and go to the toilet room if you need it.

Moving by air liners is not only convenient, with their help you can quickly get to distant countries. However, for some categories of people moving with them can be life threatening. This primarily applies to patients with hypertension and other heart ailments.

Can hypertensive patients fly on an airplane? This topic is relevant for many patients with this disease. What needs to be done so that a flight for a person with hypertension does not bring complications and negative consequences?

Employment of modern people forces them to move quickly over long distances, for this purpose, air transport is ideal. However, the flight is not inherent in the nature of the human body, therefore, it often causes a person a stressful state.

People with certain pathologies, in particular, the digestive and cardiovascular systems, are at risk. The fact is, the higher the aircraft rises above sea level, the dramatically changes the atmospheric pressure, the composition of the microclimate and air. As a result of such cardinal changes, the body begins to produce stress hormone, the so-called adrenaline, provoking:

Heart rate increase.
Increased blood pressure.
The acceleration of metabolic processes.

In addition, during the flight, all passengers, without exception, have a general condition - ear congestion, which lasts from two minutes to twelve hours. Why does this occur? Experts attribute its appearance to a significant difference between the pressure in the cabin and in the middle ear of a person. When the board is located at an altitude of more than 2 thousand meters above sea level, the air pressure inside and outside of the eardrum rises to the maximum level, which provokes this syndrome, which from the point of medicine is defined as stuffing up of ears.

Based on the above, it can be said that if a person has some kind of inconsistency regarding health, especially on the part of the cardiovascular system, it is advisable to choose a more optimal mode of transport, for example, train, car.

Is it possible to fly a plane at high pressure? There is no definite answer to this question, and the success of the flight depends on the degree of the disease, blood pressure indicators, general well-being of hypertension. It is especially worthwhile to approach this issue if the patient has reached advanced age.

With the advanced stage of the disease, after suffering a hypertensive crisis and stroke or surgery, doctors are categorically against flying. It follows that flying a plane with hypertension is allowed only with satisfactory well-being and with the permission of the doctor.

For hypertension, in addition to high blood pressure, such a clinic is characteristic:

Headache in the occipital and temporal area of \u200b\u200bthe head.
Soreness and burning in the heart.
Unpleasant discomfort.
and numbness in the limbs.
Nausea accompanied by vomiting.
Dizziness.
Increased fear.
Panic state and excitement.
Redness of the face, swelling.
Excessive sweating.

The above symptoms at the time of travel by plane can manifest with double intensity, which can provoke serious complications:

Hypertensive crisis.
Heart attack.
Fatal outcome.

The high probability of the development of such a clinical situation is explained by a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure at the time of the take-off and landing of the liner. When it gains height, the amount of oxygen present on board begins to fall rapidly, which provokes a rapid deterioration in the health of hypertension. As soon as the plane begins to move along the runway, certain painful processes are observed in the human body that negatively affect well-being.

What happens to human pressure in an airplane? Even people with quite good health can hardly tolerate pressure surges at the time of flight, they have:

Headache.
Nausea.
Vomiting
Congestion in the ears.

Possible risk from the heart

When the aircraft reaches a height of 3 thousand meters, the amount of oxygen is significantly reduced, during long intercontinental flights airliners rise to a height of 10 thousand meters and above. For hypertensive patients, this is a very serious situation, since the oxygen indicator can decrease to a critical level.

The danger lies in wait for those patients who have a history of:

Atherosclerosis.
Angina pectoris.
Ischemia.
Heart attack.
Stroke.

The so-called oxygen pillows help transfer low oxygen levels - they provide additional ventilation to the lungs during critical moments of the flight. However, many airlines have abandoned these devices because of the high explosiveness of oxygen.

The effect of flight on vessels

The vessels of the circulatory system also feel an excessive load during an air flight, because a person is forced to stay in a sitting position for a long time, but the leg veins most of all get it. Due to the low hemodynamics, narrowing of the vascular lumen is observed, which in turn provokes an increase in blood pressure. For hypertensive patients, such a pathological process is dangerous due to blockage of veins and capillaries by a thrombus.

In any case, flying by plane or helicopter for people with high pressure is always a big risk, which should not be forgotten. In a situation where it is not possible to use alternative transport, the expediency of traveling by plane must be discussed with your doctor. The specialist will tell you what needs to be done to avoid possible complications.

When air travel is contraindicated

There are a number of pathological factors in which helicopter and airplane flights are strictly prohibited. For patients with a recent heart attack and stroke, flying is absolutely forbidden, and after a hypertensive crisis it is allowed only six months or a year after the last exacerbation.

If shunts, heart rate regulators or pacemakers were installed during the operation, this can also lead to a ban on air travel.

The risk list includes people who have a history of:

Thrombophlebitis.
Hypertension of the lungs.
Pneumonia.
Bronchial asthma.
Overweight.
Hypotension.
Mental disorders.
Inability to cope with panic attacks.
Heart attacks in the past.
Recent surgical treatment.
Deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremities.

It is necessary to fly with caution to people with problematic pressure if they have been diagnosed with the following diseases:

Atherosclerosis.
Ischemia.
Angina pectoris.
Diabetes.
Protracted respiratory ailments.
Other diseases of the endocrine system.
Reduced or increased blood coagulation.

Doctors do not recommend pregnant women with hypertension to travel by plane. A flight can cause complications, which is dangerous both for a future mother and an unborn baby.

Often, when asked whether it is possible to fly in a high-pressure aircraft, doctors answer negatively, however, there are situations when the aircraft remains the only transport for moving. For example, a person needs to urgently get treatment in another country.

There are a number of rules that can help a patient with hypotension transfer a flight with minimal damage to his health and properly prepare for the trip.

Flight preparation

What needs to be done before the estimated date of travel by plane? Before buying a plane ticket, people with problematic pressure need to examine their health, which will help to find out if the body can move the trip. This will require:

Daily monitoring of blood pressure.
Systematic heart rate control.
Ultrasound of the heart.
Blood test for sugar.
Clinical blood test.

If the state of health is satisfactory and the doctor does not prohibit travel by plane, you can prepare for the flight, taking into account the following recommendations:

Event	Description
The presence of oxygen pillows in the cabin	Preference should be given to those airlines whose airliners are equipped with oxygen pads or inhalers. When ordering a ticket through a travel agency, be sure to specify this nuance. In some cases, this service can be issued with an additional order. You can order an oxygen pillow a few days before the scheduled flight. The basis for placing an order is a medical recommendation or prescription.
Seat location	When booking a seat on an airplane, give preference to the seat near the aisle. This allows you to get up more often without disturbing your neighbor.
Diet change	A week before the trip, switch to a low-calorie diet, fatty foods do not affect the vascular walls in the best way. Be sure to abandon excessive salt intake, thereby lowering the risk of puffiness after the trip.
Lifestyle change	More walk in the fresh air. Do not forget to get enough sleep, sleep should be strong and healthy.
Drug preparation	It is imperative to put medications for hypertension in the travel bag, which the patient takes daily and a small pillow, it can be placed under the lower back - it will help normalize blood flow and will maintain a comfortable body position.
The presence of an accompanying	You should not fly alone with hypertension, you must take an accompanying member of your family with you, who will be able to support you if you feel unwell.

With regard to taking medications, you can adhere to the following scheme:

Patients with angina pectoris should drink an unscheduled dose (at the same time) one tablet of nitroglycerin and aspirin an hour before the flight. Taken medications can reduce the risk of a heart attack.
30 minutes before the planned flight, take any sedative with an antispasmodic or hypotensive effect (corvalol, tincture of valerian or motherwort, cardiac drugs, lowering blood pressure or other sedative drugs). Note, Corvalol is banned in many countries, so you can’t take it with you, an alternative is tincture of motherwort.
Immediately before take-off, put a tablet of menthol or validol under the tongue. These medications help reduce and relieve anxiety while traveling.

Actions in the cabin

For most people with very satisfactory health, the feeling of fear and anxiety begins to increase during the flight. Eliminate these negative psychological emotions will help tincture of valerian or motherwort. A good alternative would be through headphones or a book with an interesting plot, watching a light film - they will help to distract from the pressure of negative thoughts.

When traveling by plane, the following recommendations presented in the table will help to avoid complications in well-being:

The following tips will also be helpful on what you can and cannot do on board an airplane:

If allowed by flight conditions, you can periodically rise (1-2 times per hour) and take a walk around the cabin. Warm ups in the chair will also be useful - moving your arms and legs, turning your neck.
Immediately during the trip, taking drugs for pressure should in no case be taken. They can cause severe weakness due to a strong drop in blood pressure due to being at a high altitude.
To prevent shortness of breath, which can go into suffocation, you need to breathe evenly and deeply, and oxygen cocktails will help to precede its appearance.
In no way should suppress anxiety and anxiety with alcoholic beverages.
Do not consume coffee, energy because of which the pressure may increase. The best option is still water (it dilutes the blood and prevents thrombosis).
In the event of a sharp deterioration in well-being, notify the crew of the aircraft who is trained to provide emergency assistance.

Traveling by plane is a very fast and convenient means of transportation for your holidays. But not for all, this type of movement is safe. People suffering from hypertension often do not know if they can fly, because there is a sharp pressure drop in flight. They need to know what risks they put themselves on when they board a plane, and what needs to be done to avoid serious consequences.

Blood pressure during flight

Modern aircraft are equipped with climate systems that create a comfortable temperature, humidity and air movement. But there is no pressure control during takeoff. This is 75% of normal on earth. In a confined space, atmospheric pressure rises, which leads to a decrease in the amount of oxygen. The load on the vessels increases due to thickening of the blood, which increases the blood pressure of a person. Therefore, passengers during the flight may feel stuffiness or tinnitus, headache, nausea. Sometimes this leads to a heart attack. To prevent troubles, it is recommended to yawn, chew, open your mouth and remain calm. For people who have low blood pressure, flying is not particularly dangerous.

In order to prevent panic attacks and to make you feel better, it is advisable to take a nap during the flight, or to occupy yourself with something calming.
Hypertensive risk
The danger of flying on airplanes depends on the form and severity of the disease. Hypertension is an increase in blood pressure and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Some people may have a sense of fear as a sign of this disease.
headache in temples and nape;
chills and numbness of the limbs;
pain, discomfort, burning in the chest;
dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting;
high sweating, redness and swelling of the face;
feeling of excitement, fear and panic.

These symptoms are inconvenient during air travel and can lead to stroke, pulmonary edema, heart attacks, and other complications. Also flying is contraindicated for people with such diseases:
aortic aneurysm;
pericarditis;
coronary artery disease;
congenital heart defect;
angina pectoris;
respiratory tract diseases;
leukocytosis;
anemia.

In healthy and young people, vessels better cope with stress at heights. But the longer the patient has hypertension, the more difficult it is to bear the load. The strength of blood vessels affects cholesterol, it, in turn, on the reaction of the heart muscle, the change in pressure during takeoff and landing. In such situations, there is a risk of hypertensive crisis, heart rhythm failure, chest pain.
Flight Rules for High Blood Pressure

At the stage of preparation for air travel, the BP test will not hurt
People with high blood pressure should be careful about flights and the choice of airlines. Find out if there are oxygen pads, and if not buy, to use it if necessary. Seats are best taken by the window or by the aisle. It is advisable to eat dietary food - quickly digestible and low-calorie. It is better to drink plain non-carbonated water, and give up caffeine and alcohol. You need to carefully prepare for the flight in a few weeks. It is advisable to go to the doctor and be checked by making an ultrasound diagnosis of the breast and an electrocardiogram. Check your blood pressure and blood sugar every day. The flight condition must be stable.