Left V. Dysfunction and high altitude - Heart Disorders Message Board

sam061 · 10-14-2006, 06:07 PM

I had an appt with my cardiologist this middle of next week and it was canceled until the latter part of October.

I have LVD and Afib. We were planning a trip where the altitude is around
5000 feet.

In the last two days, my blood pressure has suddenly jumped up while walking
shopping with my wife, and another time about an hour after going through 3 sets of lifting 5 lbs weights. Both times have made me weak. I have had this happen before and was told to just lay down and rest until it came down. I had a stress test four months ago and was told my EF was 68%.

My question is would going from a 1000 feet to 5000 ft cause any problems? I would call and ask my doctor, but he is out of town. We will be in the car most of the time. - sam

started04 · 10-16-2006, 06:25 PM

Hi Sam,

It could be a problem as lower oxygen at higher levels can strain a weak pumping heart to meet the oxygen demand. Above 8000 feet have affected people who normally live at a lower altitude.

Is it safe to go to a high altitude if I have a chronic illness like heart disease or lung disease? We visit the mile high city of Denver no problem and one quickly adjusts.
.
The answer really depends on the type of chronic illness you have and how severe it is. Most people who have a chronic illness, such as heart (cardiovascular) or lung disease, can safely spend time at a high altitude if their condition is under good control. Are you comfortable you have your medical condition under control?

People who have coronary artery disease, mild emphysema or high blood pressure aren't at greater risk of high-altitude illness than people who don't have these disorders. They also don't risk making their condition worse by traveling to a high altitude.

An EF at 68% is good, but it can change rapidly. I had an experience that happened with less than optimum oxygen that put me in the hospital with pulmonary edema. The lack of oxygen occurred when attempting to breath in a dusty environment. What happens is the blood pumped does not meet the oxygen demand and there becomes an imbalance between right heart side (supply) and the left (pump into circulation) causing blood to back up into the lungs and the pressure causes fluids to leak into the lungs.

Lenin · 10-17-2006, 07:15 AM

sam,

I doubt that 5,000 feet would present any problems...but stay off the road over Mount Evans in Colorado at 15,000.

Perhaps 5,000 feet would be tough on someone with severe lung disease or the last stages of heart failure, but not for you.

What are you taking for BP control?

Jackymwb · 10-17-2006, 07:45 AM

I have LVD and a fluctuating BP but have not had problems with altitude. At 10,000 ft I was certainly aware of the difference but just slowed up.You should be fine especially as you are driving and not flying so the ascent is gradual. A friend with severe heart problems finds he is fine as long as he drives to Denver but cannot tolerate flying.

sam061 · 10-17-2006, 12:27 PM

Thanks Jackie,
Can you tell me what your bp reading are like? Mine will go low and then sometimes after I have done something stressful it is not high at the time, but will suddenly jump up and I get weak. If you have this, do you know what causes it? Do you ever get weak? Mine is cause from afib. The doctor told me I was not in heartfailure, but another said I was and then when I told him the cardiologist said I wasn't he recanted and said, "no, but you have a weak heart." Thanks again- sam