[Should hypertensive patients adapt their antihypertensive drugs during high altitude exposure?]

High altitude exposure during leisure time is becoming more and more frequent. Due to the high prevalence of hypertension in the general population, high altitude exposure in hypertensive patients may not be uncommon. The increase in blood pressure with altitude has been confirmed by ambulatory blood pressure measurement in normotensive as well as in hypertensive patients. Compared to a placebo, most hypertensive drugs keep their blood pressure lowering effect up to a certain altitude. It is recommended that hypertensive patients measure their blood pressure during high altitude, exposure and plan a possible adaptation of treatment with their physician before their sojourn.