Frequent travel and jet lag impact cardiovascular health

Frequent travel, long periods of sitting on airplanes, and jet lag require significant physiological adaptations that can impact cardiovascular health. The combination of insufficient sleep, sedentary behavior during long flights, stress, and irregular meal and activity schedules poses risks to the body.

Bárbara Fagundes, a cardiologist with the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC), emphasizes that the primary challenge is implementing healthy habits—such as proper nutrition, physical activity, and stress management—within the constraints of a traveler's routine. Individualized medical guidance is recommended to manage these lifestyle shifts.

Jet lag occurs when the biological clock becomes temporarily misaligned with a new time zone, disrupting sleep, diet, and light exposure. Additionally, prolonged immobility during flights can lead to blood stasis in the legs, increasing the risk of venous thrombosis in certain individuals. Experts suggest moving the legs frequently or walking when possible to reduce immobility risks.