trekking

I posted this message last week but it seems to have been lost in the system. Trying again.

I am female aged 70 and have been paced for about 18 years.  My current PM is dual chamber.  I have persistent AF, not suitable for ablation due to due to a repair to an atrial septal defect many years ago.  As a long term complication of that surgery I have a leaky mitral valve. Neither the AF nor the incompetent valve causes me any problems. I am fit and active gym, spin, swim, cycle, and walk regularly.

I am planning a trip later this year to Nepal and India which would include trekking in the foothills of The Himalayas at an altitude of 2500 metres. Has anyone out there walked at that altitude? Any problems? Any advice?

3 Comments

Hiking at altitude

by ElectricFrank - 2011-05-10 01:05:09

There is nothing about the pacemaker that is affected by altitude. It is really just a matter of your cardiovascular condition, which sounds good. If I remember my units 2500 metres is slightly over 7500 ft. I've spent time at 13,000 ft, part Jeep and part hiking with no problem. I've coming up on 81 yrs in a few weeks. Every year I camp for several weeks in the Sierra's of Calif at 8500' for 2-3 weeks.

So enjoy yourself.

frank

take your time

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-10 07:05:36

I hike at about that altitude every summer. As Frank said, the pacemaker is not affected but it but I seem to notice it more than my family. I take it easy for the first day or two I'm at the higher altitude to give myself time to acclimate, and I'm extra diligent about staying hydrated. Have fun! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

thanks

by Zara - 2011-05-12 05:05:33

Thanks to Frank and Tracey for encouraging comments and advice. Have since had an OK from my cardiologist so all systems GO!
Incidentally advice from an "expert" via this forum was negative with a warning of heart failure. The expert was not a cardiologist. Only after receiving the advice was I informed that the doctor was a gastroenterologist!

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