Sudden cardiac death is the most common cause of death in Germany – and the second most common in the mountains. Alpine climbers generally do not belong to the classic risk groups. However, heart problems can also occur on the rock face, or you may come across a person who suddenly falls ill while ascending or descending.
The hill regions like Shimla-Manali, Mussoorie and Nainital see a huge rush of tourists. But a trip to the mountains also carries a risk. As soon as the altitude increases, there is a drop in the level of oxygen. So the risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest also increases. Some people are at a higher risk of heart attack in the mountains.
So, Dr Nityanand Tripathi, Chief of the Cardiology Department and Interventional Cardiologist at Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh explained this issue. Dr Tripathi said most people know that there is a lack of oxygen at high altitudes but it is more important to know in which situation a heart attack or cardiac arrest occurs. First of all, it is known that people living in the mountains do not have any problem with oxygen but for those living at an altitude of less than 1000 feet above sea level, life in the mountains is difficult.
The reason is that the heart of the people living in the mountains adapts to that environment but when the people living below go up, their heart is not able to adapt to that environment. Therefore, when there is a great lack of oxygen, there is a rapid change in the blood vessels. Blood pressure drops and oxygen cannot go beyond the lungs. In this situation, a heart attack or in severe cases, cardiac arrest occurs.
Dr Tripathi also said that at an altitude of 3500 meters, not only is there a lack of oxygen, but the cold also increases and the weather becomes humid. That is, the concentration of oxygen in the air decreases. In such a situation, numerous changes suddenly occur in the body. When there is less oxygen, the lungs begin to fill with water. In this situation, the oxygen supplied cannot reach the lungs. Then it suddenly feels like an electric shock in the body.
In this condition, the cells of the body are unable to absorb oxygen. This leads to cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is more fatal than a heart attack. If the patient is not taken to the doctor within 5-7 minutes, death is certain. Therefore, when going to the mountains, you should proceed with all caution.
The doctor suggested that if you are planning to go to the mountains, you should start exercising 10 days before. Walk and run slowly. Reduce the speed as soon as you feel difficulty in running. Do not run suddenly. Increase the running pace gradually. This way, the performance will automatically increase. If you already have breathing problems, you should consult a doctor beforehand. Keep checking your blood pressure.
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