What Happens if You Have a Medical Emergency on a Plane?

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Medical

In the hit HBO series, “Succession” fans are reeling after the latest episode (spoiler alert!).

One of the main characters, Logan Roy, played by actor Brian Cox, had a heart attack while on an airplane, which ultimately led to his death. This shocking plot twist has many people questioning what actually happens when you have a medical emergency on an airplane.Cardiovascular symptoms make up approximately 7% of inflight medical emergencies.

If a passenger develops chest pain, the flight crew will respond, measure vitals, and assess the likelihood of causes of chest pain, Eric Stahl, MD, Non-Invasive Cardiologist at Staten Island University Hospital, explained.

The risk of thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) is increased, particularly for long-duration flights. Differentiating between a heart attack or pulmonary embolism mid-flight may be difficult, but both require more specialized therapy at a medical center.

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