SOME CLINICAL ASPECTS OF LIFE AT HIGH ALTITUDES

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Abstract
Permanent residence at high altitudes, associated with chronic hypoxia, may give rise to functional and organic alterations which may be considered to be of pathologic or clinical nature. All people living in such an environment show a moderate but constant pulmonary hypertension, whose etiological mechanism or mechanisms are not well elucidated, in addition to right heart hypertrophy and corresponding ECG characteristics. Natives of high altitudes may lose their adaptation and develop signs and symptoms grouped under the general name of Chronic Mountain Sickness. An increased degree of hypoxia, a markedly elevated circulating blood volume with a high level of polycythemia and a relative hypoventilation, with decreased sensitivity of the respiratory center to CO2 inhalation, are common findings in these cases. Another interesting feature of permanent residence at high altitudes is the very low incidence of peri-pheral hypertension and cardiovascular disease caused by sclerotic changes in the vascular bed.
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