Hiker Offers Insights About High Altitude and A-Fib
After reading our post, FAQ: How Does High Altitude Affect Atrial Fibrillation?, Michele Straube shared some insightful comments about high altitude and A-Fib. Michele Straube had A-Fib for 30 years until her successful ablation. She is an active hiker including walking the Alps.
“There is “high altitude” and then there is “really high altitude”. Plus, even at “high altitude”, it is possible that anyone who has ever had A-Fib may feel some adverse effects. I offer two stories:
1. I was “cured” of A-Fib in 2009. In December 2015, my family climbed Kilimanjaro taking a longer route up so we had time to acclimate. While the rest of the family summited, I stayed at base camp (15,580′) because my heart was no longer in NSR [normal sinus rhythm]. It returned to NSR as soon as we got down to 12,000′ elevation.
2. We do a lot of hiking in the mountains. Even though I’m not in A-Fib anymore, I feel the elevation (above 8,000′) more than most of my hiking companions. I don’t go into A-Fib (thank goodness), but my heart races and I often get dizzy. It takes me up to 5 days to acclimate, even at that not-so-high elevation.”
I admire Michele’s fearless attitude toward hiking and mountain climbing and her boldness in leading an A-Fib free life. Thanks, Michele, for sharing. To read Michele Straube’s story, go to ‘Cured after 30 years in A-Fib by Dr. Marrouche‘.