If you are planning to travel to high altitude on foot or by car, you may want to undergo certain investigations to ensure whether you are fit enough or not. Y
ou may think that you are ‘too young’ to have any problems, but clinical studies have shown that people of any age can develop complications from high altitude travel.
Taking the right steps before you travel may just save your life.
There are no specific guidelines when it comes to what tests are needed, but there are some that your doctor may recommend.
A haemoglobin level is important, as a low level of haemoglobin can lead to breathlessness during physical exertion. An electrocardiogram will help determine if there is any problem with the heart. Patients with asthma may want to undergo a lung function test first and seek advice from their heart doctor about whether they should make their journey.
An echocardiogram can help determine if your heart is strong enough to withstand the high altitude, especially if you are planning a trek. If you do intend on walking a long distance, do consider undergoing a treadmill test.
This will help determine how strong your heart is and whether it would be able to withstand long walks.
In addition to that, a treadmill test will also help find out if there is any underlying heart disease. Cardiac risk assessment is quite important as the high altitude can place some stress on the heart.
In patients who have previously undergone stent insertion or bypass, a treadmill will help determine whether the heart can cope with additional stress.
ou may think that you are ‘too young’ to have any problems, but clinical studies have shown that people of any age can develop complications from high altitude travel.
Taking the right steps before you travel may just save your life.
Tests To Undergo
There are no specific guidelines when it comes to what tests are needed, but there are some that your doctor may recommend.
A haemoglobin level is important, as a low level of haemoglobin can lead to breathlessness during physical exertion. An electrocardiogram will help determine if there is any problem with the heart. Patients with asthma may want to undergo a lung function test first and seek advice from their heart doctor about whether they should make their journey.
An echocardiogram can help determine if your heart is strong enough to withstand the high altitude, especially if you are planning a trek. If you do intend on walking a long distance, do consider undergoing a treadmill test.
This will help determine how strong your heart is and whether it would be able to withstand long walks.
In addition to that, a treadmill test will also help find out if there is any underlying heart disease. Cardiac risk assessment is quite important as the high altitude can place some stress on the heart.
In patients who have previously undergone stent insertion or bypass, a treadmill will help determine whether the heart can cope with additional stress.
No comments:
Post a Comment