[Cardiovascular function in acute mountain sickness]

Fifteen subjects with uneventful adaptation and 28 subjects with acute high mountain sickness were kept at an altitude of 3600 m. Prior to the exposure all the test subjects, aged 18-20, were essentially healthy. As compared to the controls, the subjects with acute high mountain sickness showed a greater increment in heart rate, blood pressure in the brachial artery, pulmonary hypertension and vasoconstriction. It was found that the subjects susceptible to acute high mountain sickness exhibited (at sea level) higher values of heart rate and R wave in the ECG II lead and lower systolic pressure in the brachial artery. These findings can serve as predictors of acute high mountain sickness.