Effects of High Altitudes post-op (contemplating Mauna Kea trip)

[enkaynj]

Dear Friends,
I am hoping someone can answer my question.
Almost 3 years post-op. Regularly run 3+ miles, have run 10 Mile runs twice, all at sea level or close to it, with no issues whatsoever.
Planning to visit Hawaii and rent a 4-wheeler to go up to Mauna Kea Observatory. (about 14,000 feet from what I understand).
Can anybody tell me w certainty if it is advisable ? if you have been there, done that ? any general words of wisdom ?
Thanks

 

[ski girl]

I've never been told to stay away from altitude, pre-op or post-op. And now that you're *fixed* I can't see any reasons why you shouldn't be able to drive up MK. You're the same as someone born with a normal heart now, only fitter!! Enjoy

 

[SumoRunner]

Dear Friends,
I am hoping someone can answer my question.
Almost 3 years post-op. Regularly run 3+ miles, have run 10 Mile runs twice, all at sea level or close to it, with no issues whatsoever.
Planning to visit Hawaii and rent a 4-wheeler to go up to Mauna Kea Observatory. (about 14,000 feet from what I understand).
Can anybody tell me w certainty if it is advisable ? if you have been there, done that ? any general words of wisdom ?
Thanks

Never been above 7000 ft myself. I noticed no difference in normal training runs but significant slowdown in a 5K race. However, when I first searched around for other cardiac athletes 20+ years ago I came across a woman in Colorado who had run the Pikes Peak ascent post-AVR.

 

[enkaynj]

I am merely talking about driving up all the way to 14000 ft Not running. I should be OK then I guess ?
Thanks for both your posts.

 

[mbeard]

I first found my BAV and aortic aneuryism (4.2) last August while vacationing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 9,000 at base. Symptoms showed up, big time, and when I got home to southwest Alabama , I tested out and discovered my genetic heart valve defect.

The altitude affected me. Just be aware.

 

[ski girl]

Yep, the driving bit was duly noted, slacker. ;-)

Hehehehehe . . . .

 

[epstns]

Would it have affected you before you developed a heart condition?

I ask this because I know that in my 20's, I drove up Pike's Peak (IIRC, 14,110 ft. above sea level). I had two "symptoms" at that time. First, I became very tired - probably from lack of oxygen. Good thing I was the passenger on the way down, as I fell asleep. Second, I had nosebleeds a couple of times over the two weeks I spent in Colorado that year. I did not develop a murmur or any clinical manifestation of valve disease for more than 30 years after that, so I would conclude that for me, even after valve replacement, I will still have whatever issues I had before, should I go that high again.

 

[tom in MO]

You are right Steve. Altitude changes can effect people w/o heart problems. Before my valve replacement, I got what feels like a mild hangover that disappears in a day.

The CDC's word on it:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-2-the-pre-travel-consultation/altitude-illness

 

[Rebecca]

Your best bet is to ask you cardiologist. All the signs tell you no one under the age of sixteen, pregnant women and no heart disease. I went there before I had my valve replaced. My cardiologist told me it was ok but not to hike at the top. We drove up to where the observatory is and got used to the altitude and then all the cars line up and follow the ranger lead vehicle to the top. The ranger stops half way up so we all could unscrew our gas caps and retighten then. The park ranger does a free great inside tour of two of the telescopes. It’s fun to watch the telescopes open up. At the top the sun will set all around you. Coming down the mountain was scary. No lights can be used for part of leaving the mountain at night because of the telescopes in use. At night it is very hard to see when you drive through the clouds (white cows). One young woman had to be given oxygen and leave the mountain because of the altitude. Inside one of the telescopes one man had to lie down because he was getting light headed. The cost of renting a 4-wheeler is well worth it. We made the mistake of visiting at the time of almost a full moon. I love the Big Island.

 

[scott.eitman]

Thanks for starting this thread. I am heading to Breckenridge CO in August and have been concerned about altitude there. Bought a Camel back to ensure hydration.

The bigger concern I have is I cannot imagine being there and not taking advantage of the opportunities to hike and bicycle.

 

[chaconne]

I wouldn't think you'd have a problem given the way you already exercise, however it may depend on your past experience with high altitude.

For myself, I'm 2.5 years post op and regularly exercise by running, biking and hiking. Every summer I go and exercise in high altitude (>7000 feet). Last summer I ran at least a mile on top of Mammoth Mountain (< 2 post-op) which is over 11000 feet. No problems, just takes a little more wind. I also recently hiked from 6000-10000 feet over 4 miles (Mt Baldy in the LA area). I have not personally found any limitations in how hard I can push my self. My surgeon gave me leave to do so after 6 months post op.

Very cool that you're visiting Mauna Kea. I did 13 years ago, and was able to get an inside look at the Keck Telescopes since I am a JPL/NASA employee. I suppose you should be careful driving up to 13,800 feet from sea level (Kona?) If you were planning on running a race there.

Have Fun!

 

[chaconne]

Thanks for starting this thread. I am heading to Breckenridge CO in August and have been concerned about altitude there. Bought a Camel back to ensure hydration.

The bigger concern I have is I cannot imagine being there and not taking advantage of the opportunities to hike and bicycle.

Hey Scott,

I vacationed in Breckenridge a few summers ago. Great place to be! We rented a big cabin at about 10,000 ft altitude. We also hiked one of the peaks behind the ski lifts that was at 13000'. Definitely felt the altitude on the steep hills, but wasn't a major problem.

 

[enkaynj]

Folks,
Feel much better after reading all your posts. Definitely going (I mean driving ) all the way up to the summit.
Will report back w pictures in about a month.

 

[Rebecca]

Mauna Kea is one of the only places in the world where you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours, so altitude sickness is a high possibility. I would advise you to stop at the The Visitor Information Station and get used to the altitude before you drive up to the summit. On Saturdays and Sundays they have free ranger escorted tours to the summit. This is what we did. It will be very cold at the top. http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/visiting-mauna-kea/summit-tours.html The good thing is someone on tour with the ranger will have oxygen if needed. After the sun sets you have five to fifteen minutes to start driving back down. It’s beautiful to see the sun set all around you. On the way down stop at the visitor center to look into the night sky with their telescope.

We spent two nights just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at a bed and breakfast. The owners told us to get up at 2:00am and drive into the park. They had flash lights for us to use and we hiked following the reflector trail to see the sunrise with the active volcanoes flowing into the ocean. In day light it gets really hot hiking on black active lava fields and the parking was on the road.

We also rented kayak and went snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay just pass Captain Cook Monument.

 

[clay_from_nj]

I bike, run, lift weights, mow the lawn, split firewood, etc, etc, every day at over 5000 feet. No problem.

 

[VegasBAV]

I bike, run, lift weights, mow the lawn, split firewood, etc, etc, every day at over 5000 feet. No problem.

My AVR surgery was in November 2012. In October 2013 I did a two week hiking trip in Bhutan that included hiking up to about 16,400 feet. I'm doing another similar hiking trip in Pakistan starting next month.

 

[enkaynj]

Excellent information from those who have been there, done that. Thanks for allaying my concerns.

 

[mcsf]

Do it. I went up there post ross procedure when I was younger. I was skiing at 10,000 feet the week before my recent AVR in February. Altiture can effect a non heart patient some people do not do well at altitude.

 

[haggis basher]

Is there anyone near my age (74) who has done any ascending to 4000ft or above, as I have entered a mountain half marathon in Tasmania, Australia, in November. I have ran it 4 times before, but not since my new valve!
I am not going to run it (walk), as I think that it is too dangerous. It starts at sea level - every inch is uphill. The weather can change from bright sunshine to heavy snow and 100knots winds!
I was hoping to find a 'topic' which covered my line of thought.
See Yaas
Brian

PS: Many people say that now you have a 'new' AVR, you can do anything! I don't agree with this, as the valve had to be stitched in, and what stops it from tearing if too much pressure is put on it!

 

[enkaynj]

I

PS: Many people say that now you have a 'new' AVR, you can do anything! I don't agree with this, as the valve had to be stitched in, and what stops it from tearing if too much pressure is put on it!

Brian,
I understand that the valve is stitched in but over time, doesn't tissue grow around it to make it a pretty tight integral body part ? as good and leakproof as the original valve ?