Мedical contra-indications
Altitude tolerance among patients with common cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases travel to altitudes above 2000 m inadvisable:
1.1 Cardiovascular diseases:
- Within 3 months of myocardial infarction, stroke, ICD implantation, thromboembolic event
- Unstable angina pectoris
- Before planned coronary interventions
- Heart failure, NYHA class >II
- Congenital cyanotic or severe acyanotic heart defect
1.2 Pulmonary diseases:
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Severe or exacerbated COPD (GOLD stage III–IV)
- FEV1 <1 liter
- CO2 retention
- Poorly controlled asthma
Travel to altitudes of 2000–3000 m permissible:
2.1 Cardiac diseases:
- asymptomatic or stable CHD (CCS I–II)
- Stress ECG normal up to 6 METs
- Normal performance capacity for age
- Blood pressure under good control
- No high-grade cardiac arrhythmia
- No concomitant illnesses affecting gas exchange
2.2 Pulmonary diseases:
- Stable COPD or asthma under medical treatment, with adequate reserve function for the planned activity
For travel to altitudes above 3000 m:
- Evaluation by a specialist in altitude medicine and physiology
ICD, implantable cardiac defribrillator; NYHA, New York Heart Association; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; CHD, coronary heart disease; CCS, Canadian Cardiovascular Society; MET, metabolic equivalent of task
