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.
