Health Can I go hiking in the mountains despite heart disease?

Despite heart disease in the mountains? Recommendations for cardiovascular patients

While physicians agree that mountain movement is a good way to prevent cardiovascular disease, what about people who already have cardiovascular disease? Under what circumstances should they be in the high mountains and what rules of conduct should they follow? Experts give answers.

Hiking reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

According to health experts, adequate exercise will provide a preventive effect on cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure or heart attack. Especially hiking lowers the cardiovascular risk. But what about people who already have cardiovascular disease? In any case, you should not overdo it with the effort, but you do not usually have to do without physical training. An older study showed that moderate exercise is suitable for cardiac patients. However, if sufferers want to hike in the mountains, they must follow some rules of conduct.

Movement in the mountains is a good way to prevent cardiovascular diseases. But what about people who already have such a disease? Experts give recommendations. (Image: marioArte / fotolia.com)

Altitudes over 2,500 meters

As reported by the research institute "Eurac Research" based in Bolzano (South Tyrol, Italy), a team of experts led by cardiologist Gianfranco Parati, professor at the University of Bicocca and head of the Istituto Auxologico in Milan, has evaluated numerous studies that examine how Altitudes over 2,500 m affect the most common cardiovascular diseases.

The detailed recommendations for cardiovascular patients that the physicians derive from it were recently published in the journal "European Heart Journal".

Physical stress increases

From an altitude of about 2,500 m, the physical stress increases: The air contains less oxygen, this leads to an increased respiratory rate and a rise in blood pressure, the cardiovascular system is thus particularly stressed.

Especially for people who suffer from cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure or coronary heart disease, or have recently suffered a heart attack, in the mountains great caution is needed.

"However, the patient only has to do without mountain hiking completely in the case of very serious heart disease," says Hermann Brugger, a high-altitude physician at Eurac Research and president of the International Society for Alpine Medicine.

"Provided he adheres to the appropriate instructions, he can do a lot and even improve his health status at best".

Exclude possibly unrecognized heart disease

"To ensure a safe ascent even heart patients, the patient must plan the tour carefully, with time and tour goal should be coordinated," said Gianfranco Parati, who has led the evaluation.

"Together with the family doctor, all precautions must be individually tailored to the patient and the necessary examinations carried out in order to rule out possibly unrecognized heart disease and to ensure optimal drug treatment."

For example, in the case of coronary heart disease, where the coronary arteries are narrowed and the heart muscle is supplied with less oxygen, the experts recommend that certain maximum altitudes are not exceeded.

For mild coronary heart disease, this is 4,200 meters in altitude, with a mean altitude of 2,500 meters. However, if the patient suffers from severe coronary heart disease, experts recommend not to go hiking.

Taking the right medication

The intake of the right medication is also fundamental, emphasize the two experts. "Antihypertensives are often diuretic, they relieve the blood of salt and water, which reduces the blood volume and thus lowers the blood pressure," explains Brugger.

"In the mountains, however, you have to be careful with these remedies: the increased exertion and perspiration cause the body to lose more fluid - there is a risk of drying out."

Patients who have moderate to severe high blood pressure are also advised to regularly check their blood pressure levels before and during their stay in the mountains.

If the patient follows all recommendations, hiking can have a very positive effect on the course of the disease, slowing it down and in some cases even stopping it.

"The psyche of cardiovascular patients also benefits mountain hiking. The certainty of maintaining a degree of freedom and independence in spite of cardiovascular disease significantly increases the self-confidence and well-being of the patient, "explains Brugger.

For longer tours settling time of one to two days

The recommendations came from the systematic evaluation of all studies on cardiovascular diseases and altitude exposure.

Experts from the leading European and Italian societies for cardiology and hypertension (hypertension) as well as the International and Italian Society of Altitude Medicine evaluated the study results and drafted the recommendations.

The German Heart Foundation has another tip on its website:

Cardiac patients who go hiking in the mountains, a localization of one to two days is advisable. During this period you can get used to the climate and the altitude with short and easy hikes.

Longer stages should be on the program for the next few days. (Ad)