Why Altitude Training May Benefit Patients with Early Heart Disease
When people think of altitude training, they usually imagine athletes running through mountain trails to boost their performance. But interestingly, the same principles that help athletes may also provide benefits for individuals with early stages of heart disease. While it’s not a replacement for medical care, controlled exposure to higher altitudes under supervision could support heart health in surprising ways. What Happens to the Body at Higher Altitudes At higher elevations, the air contains less oxygen. This means the body has to work harder to deliver enough oxygen to tissues. To compensate, the body naturally increases red blood cell production and improves the efficiency of how oxygen is transported. For patients with early heart disease, this adaptation could be valuable. Improved oxygen delivery can reduce strain on the heart, making it more efficient over time. Of course, this has to be carefully monitored, since not every patient responds the same way. How Altitude T...