Blood Pressure Changes While Hiking at Moderate Altitudes

A Prospective Cohort Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15468686
AuthorsKy Stoltzfus (University of Kansas Medical Center, corresponding author), Ky B Stoltzfus (University of Kansas Medical Center), David Naylor (0000-0003-4138-7048, University of Kansas Medical Center), Tessa C Cattermole (0000-0003-2313-301X, University of Vermont Medical Center), Tessa Cattermole (University of Vermont Medical Center), Arthur Ankeney (Prisma Health), Rebecca Mount (0000-0003-1769-0784, University of Kansas Medical Center), Rong Chang (0000-0002-6502-3081, Northeastern University), Cheryl Gibson (0000-0002-4025-8845, University of Kansas Medical Center), Cheryl A Gibson (University of Kansas Medical Center)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue21
Pages7978-7978
Publication date2020-10-30
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17217978
PMID33142996
OpenAlexW3097665199
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited12

Recreational hiking in the mountains is a common activity, whether for a single day or for several days in a row. We sought to measure blood pressure (BP) response during a 10-day trek at moderate-altitude elevation (6500-13,000 feet) and observe for uncontrolled hypertension and/or adverse cardiovascular outcomes. A total of 1279 adult participants completed an observational study of resting BP during a 10-day trek in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Following initial recruitment, participants were issued a trail data card to record BP measurements at day 0 (basecamp), day 3, day 6 and day 9. BP was measured using a sphygmomanometer and auscultation. Demographic data, height, weight, home altitude, daily water and sports drink intake, existence of pre-arrival hypertension and BP medication class were also recorded. We observed a rise in mean blood pressure for the cohort during all exposures to moderate altitudes. The increases were greatest for individuals with pre-existing hypertension and/or obesity. There were no observed life-threatening cardiovascular events for participants. We conclude that for individuals with a modestly controlled blood pressure of 160/95 mmHg, hiking at a moderate altitude is a safe activity

Altitude (triangle · Altitude sickness · Auscultation · Blood pressure · Cohort · Cohort study · Effects of high altitude on humans · Obesity · Physical therapy · Prospective cohort study · Sphygmomanometer · Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research · High Altitude and Hypoxia · Medicine · Neuroscience of respiration and sleep · Internal Medicine

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