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Preexisting cardiovascular diseases among high-altitude mountaineers in the alps

Martin Faulhaber1, Hannes Gatterer, Martin Burtscher

  • 1Department of Sport Science, University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. martin.faulhaber@uibk.ac.at

Journal of Travel Medicine
|September 8, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) affect 7.4% of high-altitude mountaineers, increasing with age. This prevalence is lower than in hikers and skiers, with hypertension being the most common CVD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Altitude Physiology

Background:

  • High-altitude mountaineering presents unique physiological stresses.
  • Understanding cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence in this population is crucial for risk assessment.
  • Previous research has not extensively detailed CVD rates in mountaineers compared to other mountain sports participants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in a cohort of high-altitude mountaineers.
  • To identify demographic factors, such as age, associated with CVD in this group.
  • To compare CVD prevalence in high-altitude mountaineers with that of hikers and alpine skiers.

Main Methods:

  • A survey-based study was conducted.
  • Data were collected from 473 high-altitude mountaineers.
  • Prevalence of CVD and specific types, like hypertension, were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) was 7.4% among the surveyed mountaineers.
  • CVD prevalence demonstrated an increasing trend with advancing age.
  • Hypertension was identified as the most frequent type of cardiovascular disease observed.
  • Notably, the frequency of CVD in high-altitude mountaineers was found to be lower than in hikers and alpine skiers.

Conclusions:

  • High-altitude mountaineering may be associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular diseases compared to other mountain activities.
  • Age is a significant factor influencing cardiovascular disease risk in high-altitude mountaineers.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the protective factors in high-altitude mountaineers.

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