Decoded: Why Heart Function Is Reduced At High Altitude
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 IST
Do you experience reduced heart function at high altitudes?
Low amount of oxygen at mountain peaks decreases the volume of blood circulating around the body, and increases blood pressure in the lungs, resulting in reduced heart function at high altitudes, say researchers.
However, the researchers also found that while both these factors impact blood flow, it surprisingly does not impact the body's ability to exercise to its fullest extent.
The findings will be important for people who live, travel and exercise at high altitudes.
The research improves our understanding of how the human body adapts to high altitude areas and will help us make exploration and tourism of Earth's mountainous regions safer, and may also help facilitate exercise performance in a wide range of sporting events that take place at high altitude, said researchers led by Michael Stembridge, from the Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales, Britain
"We hope to apply the findings of this work to help improve the health and well-being of these populations by furthering our understanding of the condition and exploring therapeutic targets," he said.
Many people who visit high altitudes suffer from "Chronic Mountain Sickness", which occurs when there is lower oxygen pressure present. It results in shortness of breath, headache, and a fast heartbeat.
For the research, published in The Journal of Physiology, the team collected data of a small group on how the heart and pulmonary blood vessels adapt to life with less oxygen.
The researchers and participants conducted the study during two weeks at a remote research facility in California.
Furthermore, echocardiography was used to assess cardiac and pulmonary vascular function which is non-invasive and indirect.
Related Topics
Trending News & Articles
Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...
Recently posted . 9K views . 2 min read
The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...
Recently posted . 6K views . 2 min read
Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...
Recently posted . 6K views . 2 min read
The scientists likewise shared how much liquor an individual can drink prior to facing overabundance risk challenges their wellbeing, contrasted with somebody who...
Recently posted . 5K views . 1 min read
More in Food & Health
Building muscle is extremely important for everyone to maintain optimal health. We don’t need massive amounts of muscle like a bodybuilder, but a good quali...
Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read
Panchakarma is one of the most well-known parts about Ayurveda. It is a five-step, total mind-body rejuvenation experience that comprises of herbal oil massages, st...
Recently posted. 1K views . 1 min read
It’s More Herbs, Less Salt Day today. Here are some of the best alternatives to unhealthy salt that you can incorporate in your diet.
<...
Recently posted. 965 views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 2K views
Recently posted . 2K views
Recently posted . 2K views . 46 min read
Recently posted . 2K views . 25 min read
Little kids are notoriously difficult to dress. Any parent who’s experienced a closet standoff with a naked child six minutes before they’re supposed ...
Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read
Men who consumed the most vegetables were 34 per cent less likely to develop poor thinking skills than the men who consumed the least amount of vegetables.
Recently posted. 983 views . 1 min read