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Atrial Fibrillation and long-term management with medication

Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (84)
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@barn67

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I have hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Afib and tachycardia all is under control for now. What I want to know if anyone knows if being at high altitude has any effect to these conditions?

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Replies to "Question I have hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Afib and tachycardia all is under control for now. What..."
aard | @aard | May 30 11:37am

(M & 70) I had paroxysmal Afib and have hiked up to 18,000' on flecanainide, diltiazem, and eliquis without any problems. I had a stress test and because of that my cardiologist didn't think that exertion or altitude would set off an Afib episode. I have since had an ablation and mitral valve repair when Afib recurred, now on diltiazem and eliquis....so far, so good. Planning on a 23 day back-packing trip, numerous passes above 10,000' and going up to 15,000' this summer. All the best.

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margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | May 31 8:15pm

Before I share my personal experience, my #1 advice: Check with your Cardiologist or other Medical Professional. We're ALL like snowflakes, No 2 Of Us Are Alike!
I too have A-Fib. Last Christmas my daughter & family invited me to Steamboat Spring, Colorado. Home for me is Springfield, Ill. Altitude of Spfld. = 600'. The base of the Mt. & town of Steamboat Springs = 6,700' . I found I just didn't have the endurance to take long walks like I take at home, just didn't have the energy ... however it didn't keep me from going for shorter walks around the village at the Mt. base, or into town. On our Last full day my daughter was Insistent I ride the Gondola to the top of Mt. Werner with her, walk around for +- 5 minutes & ride back down. (elevation 10,560') . For the next two days & nights my heart-beat was erratic, I couldn't sleep, it took 5 days for me to recover.
After I returned home I googled "A-Fib & Elevation" ... it recommended A-Fib patients not visit places with an elevation above 5,600', (I was "pushing-it" going to Steamboat Springs at 6,700'.)
Hope this helps ... but I'd like to repeat, Your Best Resource is A Medical Professional.

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margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | May 31 8:26pm

I wrote a response, Don't Know why it hasn't followed your question.
If you can find my response, I ';ve shared personal experience going to Steamboat, Co., & taking the Gondola to the Top of Mt. Werner ... 10,568'. (NOT RECOMMENDED!)

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aard | @aard | Jun 2 11:29am

Here is some good information from the American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/09/09/travel-to-high-altitudes-could-be-dangerous-for-people-with-heart-conditions

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