While we have known for over a century that high altitude reduces the amount of blood the heart pumps, the reason remained unknown. A new study has identified the reason and the findings will be important for people who live, travel and exercise at high altitudes. The study is published in The Journal of Physiology .
People Who Live at High Altitudes are Less Likely to Become Overweight or Obese
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‘At high altitudes, the lower amount of oxygen in the air leads to a decrease in the volume of blood circulating around the body, and an increase in blood pressure in the lungs.’
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Over the years, several theories have been proposed to explain the reduction in the amount of blood the heart can pump; this was even of interest to the scientists involved in the first summit of Mt Everest in the 1950's. It has now been shown that this is because at high altitudes (over 3000 m), the lower amount of oxygen in the air leads to (1) a decrease in the volume of blood circulating around the body, and (2) an increase in blood pressure in the lungs. The researchers found that both of these factors play a role in the reduction in the volume of blood the heart can pump with each beat, but importantly neither of these factors affects our ability to perform maximal exercise.
This research is important because it improves our understanding of how the human body adapts to high altitude areas. This will help us make exploration and tourism of Earth's mountainous regions safer, and may also help facilitate exercise performance in a wide range of sporting events that take place at high altitude.
![Key to Human Life at High Altitudes is 8,000-Year-Old Mutation]( "Key to Human Life at High Altitudes is 8,000-Year-Old Mutation")
Tibetans thrive in the thin air on the Tibetan Plateau, an environment where others struggle to survive, situated at an average elevation of 14,800 feet.
The research conducted by Cardiff Metropolitan University, in conjunction with the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Loma Linda University School of Medicine, involved collecting data on how the heart and pulmonary blood vessels adapt to life with less oxygen. The researchers and participants conducted the study during two weeks at a remote research facility called The Barcroft Laboratory on White Mountain, California.
It is important to note that the sample size of this study was small and the effects of these mechanisms were only compared in individuals of European descent. Furthermore, echocardiography was used to assess cardiac and pulmonary vascular function which is non-invasive and indirect.
Michael Stembridge, the chief investigator on the project commented on future research plans: "Currently, a number of the research team are ready to depart for an expedition that will focus on high altitude natives who live and work in the industrial mines of the Andean mountains. Unfortunately, a third of these individuals experience long-term ill health due to their residence at high altitude, a condition termed 'Chronic Mountain Sickness'. We hope to apply the findings of this work to help improve the health and well-being of these populations by furthering our understanding of the condition and exploring therapeutic targets".
Source: Eurekalert
Key to Human Life at High Altitudes is 8,000-Year-Old Mutation
Tibetans thrive in the thin air on the Tibetan Plateau, an environment where others struggle to survive, situated at an average elevation of 14,800 feet.
Advertisement
The research conducted by Cardiff Metropolitan University, in conjunction with the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Loma Linda University School of Medicine, involved collecting data on how the heart and pulmonary blood vessels adapt to life with less oxygen. The researchers and participants conducted the study during two weeks at a remote research facility called The Barcroft Laboratory on White Mountain, California.
It is important to note that the sample size of this study was small and the effects of these mechanisms were only compared in individuals of European descent. Furthermore, echocardiography was used to assess cardiac and pulmonary vascular function which is non-invasive and indirect.
Michael Stembridge, the chief investigator on the project commented on future research plans: "Currently, a number of the research team are ready to depart for an expedition that will focus on high altitude natives who live and work in the industrial mines of the Andean mountains. Unfortunately, a third of these individuals experience long-term ill health due to their residence at high altitude, a condition termed 'Chronic Mountain Sickness'. We hope to apply the findings of this work to help improve the health and well-being of these populations by furthering our understanding of the condition and exploring therapeutic targets".
Source: Eurekalert
Staying in High Altitude Military Facilities Protects Service Members From Obesity
A new study says that overweight U.S. service members are 41 percent less likely to transition to clinical obesity when stationed at military facilities.
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 Key Gene Mutation Helps Tibetans Thrive at High AltitudeA red blood cell production controlling gene evolved quickly to enable Tibetans to tolerate high altitudes, suggest researchers. | Advertisement
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