Physiologic affects of altitude on recreational climbers

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
Anthony M NapoliJason Machan

Abstract

Previous analyses of physiologic parameter changes during ascent to altitude have incorporated small numbers of well-trained climbers. The effects of altitude illness are more likely to occur and may come to medical attention more frequently in unacclimatized recreational individuals. We sought to evaluate acute changes in physiologic parameters during ascent to high altitude (14,100 ft) in recreational climbers. We performed a prospective naturalistic study of 221 recreational climbers at Mount Shasta (peak altitude of 14,162 ft). Baseline vital signs were recorded at 3500 ft (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, and peak flow). Subsequent measurements were obtained at 6700 ft, 10,400 ft, and at the summit. Mean vital signs and the amount they changed with altitude were estimated using mixed linear models. One hundred twenty-five climbers (56.6%) reached the summit. Heart rate increased and pulse oximetry decreased with ascent (mean, 71.9, 79, 97, and 102.4 beats/min and 96.9%, 93.9%, 88.8%, and 80.8%, respectively), with estimates at each altitude differing statistically at P < .0001. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures varied significantly by altitude (not measured at summit), but the changes...Continue Reading

References

May 7, 2002·Wilderness & Environmental Medicine·F HashimotoC Qualls
May 28, 2004·Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America·Scott A Gallagher, Peter H Hackett

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Citations

Aug 8, 2014·High Altitude Medicine & Biology·Matthias FeuereckerAlexander Choukèr
May 22, 2013·Mediators of Inflammation·Valdir de Aquino LemosMarco Tulio de Mello
Jun 11, 2018·Journal of the American Heart Association·Sergio CaravitaGianfranco Parati
Sep 5, 2013·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·Chelsea M MooreSteven Morrison
Mar 4, 2020·International Journal of Biometeorology·Lisa M E DohmenHasse Melbye

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