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Blood Pressure Changes While Hiking at Moderate Altitudes: A Prospective Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ky B. Stoltzfus

    (Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS 66160, USA)

  • David Naylor

    (Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS 66160, USA)

  • Tessa Cattermole

    (Department of Surgery, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT 05401, USA)

  • Arthur Ankeney

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, University of South Carolina, Prisma Health Richland, Columbia, SC 29203, USA)

  • Rebecca Mount

    (Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS 66160, USA)

  • Rong Chang

    (Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Cheryl A. Gibson

    (Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS 66160, USA)

Abstract

Recreational hiking in the mountains is a common activity, whether for a single day or for several days in a row. We sought to measure blood pressure (BP) response during a 10-day trek at moderate-altitude elevation (6500–13,000 feet) and observe for uncontrolled hypertension and/or adverse cardiovascular outcomes. A total of 1279 adult participants completed an observational study of resting BP during a 10-day trek in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Following initial recruitment, participants were issued a trail data card to record BP measurements at day 0 (basecamp), day 3, day 6 and day 9. BP was measured using a sphygmomanometer and auscultation. Demographic data, height, weight, home altitude, daily water and sports drink intake, existence of pre-arrival hypertension and BP medication class were also recorded. We observed a rise in mean blood pressure for the cohort during all exposures to moderate altitudes. The increases were greatest for individuals with pre-existing hypertension and/or obesity. There were no observed life-threatening cardiovascular events for participants. We conclude that for individuals with a modestly controlled blood pressure of 160/95 mmHg, hiking at a moderate altitude is a safe activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Ky B. Stoltzfus & David Naylor & Tessa Cattermole & Arthur Ankeney & Rebecca Mount & Rong Chang & Cheryl A. Gibson, 2020. "Blood Pressure Changes While Hiking at Moderate Altitudes: A Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7978-:d:437323
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniela Huber & Johanna Freidl & Christina Pichler & Michael Bischof & Martin Kiem & Renate Weisböck-Erdheim & Gabriella Squarra & Vincenzo De Nigris & Stefan Resnyak & Marcel Neberich & Susanna Bordi, 2023. "Long-Term Effects of Mountain Hiking vs. Forest Therapy on Physical and Mental Health of Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Jing Xu & Jinshu Zeng & Yelei Yan & Fei Xu, 2021. "Hypoxic Exercise Exacerbates Hypoxemia and Acute Mountain Sickness in Obesity: A Case Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-8, August.

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