Private MD News

Air travel can take a toll on heart health

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Individuals who do a lot of business traveling may benefit from seeking cholesterol testing, as new research suggests that frequent fliers may have poorer heart health.

Researchers from Columbia University surveyed 13,000 employees about their business traveling routines and their overall health, according to Live Science. The results showed that those who were the most extensive travelers were significantly more likely to be obese, suffer from high blood pressure and have unhealthy cholesterol levels.

The researchers said that long periods of inactivity, poor diets while on the road and disruptions to sleep patterns may account for the increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among frequent business travelers.

They told the news source that companies that require their employees to travel should offer more stress-relieving classes or allow their employees to stay in hotels that have gyms or pools where they can get a good workout.

A recent study in the British Medical Journal cautioned that many people with cardiovascular problems should not fly at all because of the strain it can place on the heart.