Altitude and Cardiology

As someone born and raised in Denver, Colorado, which is known as the "Mile High City" for a reason, I have an affinity for the mountains. Since I am from this high-altitude region, the prospect of living at a high altitude and traveling higher could be said to be normal and even expected for me, even with critical congenital heart disease.

However, while this is normal, that does not mean it is ideal.

Medically speaking, while it has been thoroughly studied and mentioned in previous articles of my writing that exercise benefits the heart, this is not necessarily true for elevation. The article "Effect of Altitude on the Heart and the Lungs" by Peter Bärtsch and J. Simon R. Gibbs, M.D. discusses the impact of someone with cardiac problems being at high altitude and how it impacts the heart. For example, one experiences "acute hypoxia," which is a lack of oxygen in the blood. According to the article, "the consequences of acute hypoxia are an increase in heart rate (both at rest and on exercise), myocardial contractility, and cardiac output for the first few days. With acclimatization, cardiac output falls at rest and on exercise in association with a decrease in left ventricular work but an increase in right ventricular work" (Bärtsch and Gibbs, 2007). In summary, according to the article, "Travel To High Altitudes Could Be Dangerous For People With Heart Conditions" by the American Heart Association News, "at higher altitudes- any place 9,8400 feet above sea level or higher- the heart needs more oxygen-rich blood, even at rest" (American Heart Association, 2021). However, the article, "Elevated Thinking: Alitude and the Heart" highlgihts specificly how and why this is an issue as "the effects of elevated altitude on the human body are numberous. In healthy individuals, heart rate increases at rest and at submzximal excersise workloads with no maxinal rate; similarly increasing altitude causes a rise in systolic blood pressure and decreases arterial oxygen saturation" (American College of Cardiology, 2012). Therefore, it could be surmized that a sudden increase in altitude may not be ideal for the health for one's cardiac health.

Personaly, I can often gauge my health by how well I handle the altitude. For this, I love the mountains' beauty. As a child, I used to ski and relished the thrill of flying down the mountain. Yet, to appreciate it is considerably more difficult for me, as soeone with a heart condition, compared to someone with a healthy cardiac system.

Oftentimes, it is difficult for me to admit, even to myself, how hard it is for me. I do this by masking this with excuses of with how important it is for me to achieve this goal and how much I want to reach the top.

As soneone who knows this feeling and loves the mountains more than anything, it is best to consider one's health when ascending to altitude as it can comprimise your health. Please consult your doctor and understand your health needs before ascending to the top of a mountain peak.