At high altitude the air becomes rarefied, which affects the heart and its capacity.All the four Dhams of Uttarakhand are at high altitude and going there can be fatal for people suffering from heart diseases.Char Dham Yatra has started from May 10, these are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Chardham Yatra has started in Uttarakhand from 10th May. Generally people visit the four Dhams of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. For this, registration has to be done. Since most of this journey takes place at high altitude, people also have to face heart related problems. It is advised that people with heart problems avoid these journeys. After all, why do high altitude places become fatal for people with heart diseases?
All four Dhams of Uttarakhand are located at high altitude places. All are at the height of the mountains, the weather in them is also cold and snowy, be it Yamunotri or Badrinath. Even during the summer season, the surrounding mountains are seen covered with snow. But how do high altitude places affect heart health?
Living at high altitude is beneficial for people who have good heart health. But traveling to these places can be a cause of concern for those who are currently facing problems like heart.
Question – What is considered high altitude?
– Any place below 6,560 feet above sea level is considered low altitude. The journey above this is considered to be of medium altitude and high altitude. Places between 6,560 and 9,840 feet above sea level are considered medium altitude. Places above 9,840 feet above sea level are high altitude. These are the places where your body begins to experience significant altitude-related effects.
People with heart problems may face problems in high altitude areas, as there are reasons for the same. (courtesy uttarakhand tourism)
Question – What are the parameters of high altitude area in India?
– The Indian Army defines high altitude (HA) areas as areas above 9,000 feet (2,750 m). These are classified into three stages based on altitude:
Stage I: 9,000–12,000 feet (2,750–3,657 m)
Stage II: 12,000–15,000 feet (3,657–4,572 m)
Stage III: Above 15,000 feet (4,572 m)
Question – Through which heights does the Char Dham Yatra pass?
– To visit Chhota Char Dham, one has to climb to a height of more than 4000 meters. There are some places with higher altitude and some places with higher altitude. Therefore this journey is considered difficult.
Char Dham Yatra takes place at a high altitude in the Garhwal Himalayas, hence it is called high altitude yatra. Four pilgrimage sites of Char Dham Yatra are at these heights. According to the high altitude parameters of the Indian Army, all these places are high altitude areas.
Yamunotri: 3,291 meters
Gangotri: 3,415 meters
Kedarnath: 3,553 meters
Badrinath: 3,300 meters
Kedarnath: 11,700 feet
Gangotri: 10,200 feet
Question – How are high altitude areas generally?
– Temperatures are usually quite cold in high altitude areas. It rains a lot, strong winds blow. There is low air pressure and the level of oxygen in the air also starts decreasing.
There are many guidelines for this height
1. Climb slowly
2. Avoid going directly above 9,000 feet (2,750 meters) from a lower altitude in one day
3. Increase sleeping altitude no more than 1,600 feet (500 m) per day once above 9,000 feet (2,750 m)
4. Plan an extra day for acclimatization every 3,300 feet (1,000 meters).
Question – How does high altitude affect your body?
– When you are at high altitude, your lungs receive less oxygen due to thin air. This puts more strain on your lungs and heart because the rest of your body also needs oxygen-rich blood constantly. Whose quantity starts getting affected. For this reason, even healthy people start facing problems like dizziness, headache and fatigue at very high altitudes.
Question – If someone is suffering from heart related problems then what does he experience at this altitude?
– High altitude can have an even greater impact on your body if you experience any cardiovascular health issues. For example, individuals with high blood pressure will typically experience an increase in both heart rate and blood pressure shortly after reaching high altitude. These problems will usually become worse at night.
Question – Does living at high altitude also have heart health benefits?
– There is evidence that living at high altitude can have significant benefits for heart health. A study from the Harvard School of Global Health found that people living at higher altitudes were less likely to die from ischemic heart disease. Their life expectancy is usually long.
Question – Can patients suffering from heart disease travel at high altitude?
– A report published by the Journal of the American Heart Association found that visiting high altitude places can be dangerous for individuals with high blood pressure or heart disease.
According to the study, engaging in rigorous physical activities in high altitude locations (9,840 feet and above) can put too much stress on the heart and blood vessels of people with heart disease, leading to a variety of symptoms.
– difficulty breathing
– Dizziness
– Pain in chest
– Tiredness
Question – What precautions should be taken while traveling at high altitude with heart diseases?
– Drinking water at high altitude with heart disease There are some general recommendations that all people with heart disease should follow when traveling to high altitude places:
– Gradually acclimate to higher altitudes by spending one or more nights at intermediate altitudes before climbing to your higher altitude location
– Exercise at a slower pace and less intensity than you are used to at sea level
– Stay properly hydrated
– get plenty of sleep
– Talk to your cardiologist about potentially needing to adjust heart and blood pressure medications at high altitude.
Tags: Char Dham, Char Dham Highway Project, Char Dham Yatra, heart disease
FIRST PUBLISHED: May 14, 2024, 09:49 IST