Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Flying

By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: May 29, 2008

As you take off for vacation or business there’s a lot to think about. How many bags do you have? Are you following the carry-on rules?  Harleen Sandro is going to New Jersey after business brought her to Roanoke.

Karen: What is your biggest concern before you get on a plane?

Harleen:  Usually reaching my destination on time flight delays cancellations stuff like that for the most part.

but some may have much more than that to worry about.

New research shows people who have obstructive sleep apnea are at risk for cardiac stress while they’re in flight.  It has you asking 10 On your Side if you have sleep apnea should you avoid flying all together?

From what we have been able to find so far no recommendations like that have been made.

We talked with Dr. Sam Aziz a pulmonologist with Carilion’s sleep center who says that may be because of the study’s size.

Dr. Aziz: It is it’s a low number.  It is only 22 patients included in the study. It was a very selective study.

But Dr. Aziz also says because people with obstructive sleep apnea have low levels of oxygen to begin with, the drop in the air could cause problems.

If you’re a patient with obstructive sleep apnea and if you have any concerns before flying, call your doctor and he or she can order other oxygen tests for you if they believe they are needed before you go up in the air.

So some may want to check in with their doctor before they check in with their airline.

Link to new information about Flying and Heart Risk