A study of medical emergencies on five major airlines over a nearly three-year period showed that, of the 12,000 passengers who experienced some form of medical emergency during a flight, 0.3 percent (38 people) suffered cardiac arrest, in which the heart stops. The number who died over the study period was 31, according to the study, which was published in May in the New England Journal of Medicine.
So it seems the "Old Normal" average for heart attacks in flight is just over 1 per month. Deaths just under 1 per month. Passengers only but I would think the rate among pilots was even lower. I searched pilot heart attacks on Brave and it seems there was one death every few years or so that made the headlines. 2013, 2015, 2019.
It does seem to be increasing significantly since 2021.
https://www.livescience.com/40017-pilot-heart-attack-how-frequent.html
2013:
A study of medical emergencies on five major airlines over a nearly three-year period showed that, of the 12,000 passengers who experienced some form of medical emergency during a flight, 0.3 percent (38 people) suffered cardiac arrest, in which the heart stops. The number who died over the study period was 31, according to the study, which was published in May in the New England Journal of Medicine.
So it seems the "Old Normal" average for heart attacks in flight is just over 1 per month. Deaths just under 1 per month. Passengers only but I would think the rate among pilots was even lower. I searched pilot heart attacks on Brave and it seems there was one death every few years or so that made the headlines. 2013, 2015, 2019.
It does seem to be increasing significantly since 2021.
The reason is obvious... Climate Change!