The air in the cabin of the aircraft (when flying at 35,000 feet )is "thinner" as the oxygen molecules are further apart even though the cabin is pressurized to ~6,500 feet. This altitude pressure is like living in the mountains around 6500 feet or a little higher than Denver Colorado. So patients with CHF can get into trouble much more easily and often breath faster to get more oxygen which is fatiguing. It's a good idea to check with your physician who may advise you to travel with a portable oxygen tank just for the flight.
My mother's had this disease since about 1996. Since then, she's travelled to the Antarctic, Ecuador, Borneo, Madagascar and India - honestly, I promise you, flying will not have a bad effect on your mother's heart function.
Personally I think my mother's choice of holiday destinations is completely insane, for the record, but that's a different issue.
Is she on oxygen for her congestive heart failure?
My husband and I flew several times while he had CHF, with no ill effects. As when riding in a car it is helpful to move around a bit. In an airplane that was never a problem with my husband because he always had to use the bathroom at least once!
It would be good to talk to the doctor who treats her CHF. It was OK for my husband, but I don't know what stage your mother is at and what her specific risks are. Best to get advice from a professional who knows her.
Congestive heart failure Kazaa. I'd be more worried about the 14 hour drive. My mom could never handle that, not so much for the CHF, but just the car trip. I'd call her doctor and ask about flying.
So patients with CHF can get into trouble much more easily and often breath faster to get more oxygen which is fatiguing. It's a good idea to check with your physician who may advise you to travel with a portable oxygen tank just for the flight.
Personally I think my mother's choice of holiday destinations is completely insane, for the record, but that's a different issue.
My husband and I flew several times while he had CHF, with no ill effects. As when riding in a car it is helpful to move around a bit. In an airplane that was never a problem with my husband because he always had to use the bathroom at least once!
It would be good to talk to the doctor who treats her CHF. It was OK for my husband, but I don't know what stage your mother is at and what her specific risks are. Best to get advice from a professional who knows her.
Here's a survey of heart patients who traveled by air: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3387374/