High urgency
-Very severe
It is the presence of clots that impede normal blood circulation in the pulmonary arteries; affected lung tissue doesn’t work and the blood does not receive oxygen from the lungs. This causes shortness of breath due to lack of oxygen and can result in heart problems, putting the individual’s life in danger. If you experience progressive shortness of breath at an altitude of more than 2,500m / 8202ft, you must descend, go to a hospital to ascertain the cause and breathe high concentrations of oxygen as soon as possible. The clinical repercussions will determine therapeutic options. It can be prevented by taking aspirin, anticoagulants, using compression stockings or walking to activate blood flow in the legs.
- Scott A Gallagher, MD. Peter Hackett, MD. Jonathan M Rosen, MD. High altitude illness: Physiology, risk factors, and general prevention. UpToDate, Apr 15, 2015.
- West JB, American College of Physicians, American Physiological Society. The physiologic basis of high-altitude diseases. Ann Intern Med 2004; 141:789.
- Schoene RB. Illnesses at high altitude. Chest 2008; 134:402.
- Scherrer U, Allemann Y, Rexhaj E, et al. Mechanisms and drug therapy of pulmonary hypertension at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol 2013; 14:126.
- http://www.altitudemedicine.org/altitude-and-pre-existing-conditions
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
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