One in four fliers face stroke risk

Oliver Stallwood|Metro13 April 2012

As many as one in four long-haul fliers could be at risk of stroke in the weeks following their journey, a leading surgeon has warned.

Cramped economy-class trips can lead to 'brain attacks' in adults with a hole in the heart, said George Geroulakos, of Ealing Hospital.

The heart condition is thought to affect up to 25 per cent of adults, most of whom are unaware of it.

It could increase the dangers for fliers already at risk from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where a blood clot in the leg travels to the lungs, causing a heart attack. Mr Geroulakos made the discovery in a 49-year-old stroke victim in London.

The patient, who had a hole in the heart, had taken a 19-hour flight from Alaska two days earlier.

Mr Geroulakos has found 12 similar cases and is urging doctors to check whether stroke victims have taken long-haul journeys.

He said: 'The stroke can take place up to three weeks after the trip. Stroke victims who have flown long-haul before an attack should contact a doctor to see if they have a hole in the heart. Treatment can be given.

'This could be extremely rare, or it could be common. We won't know until more research is done.'

The Stroke Association said the findings made sense but most people were unlikely to have a hole in the heart big enough to cause the problem. Mr Geroulakos - whose study is published in the European Journal of Vascular Surgery - said passengers could cut risks by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol.

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