H.A.P.E.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema can manifest as an asthma-like attack. H.A.P.E can also cause a heart attack if not diagnosed quickly enough. I told doctor in hospital of my suspicion and ended up being x-rayed for evidence of H.A.P.E. I was right and treated for the condition six months ago.

[KateMoss]

Where where you to get HAPE?? Climbing a mountain or somewhere at altitude in the world??

[Hidden in reply to KateMoss]

Where where you to get HAPE?? Climbing a mountain or somewhere at altitude in the world??

People do not need to increase their altitudes in order to become victims of H.A.P.E. The condition can be triggered by an abnormally low air pressure system (a depression) at sea level. I strongly suspect that many people diagnosed as asthmatics actually suffer from the medical manifestations of H.A.P.E and that they remain untreated. It is an invisible condition but a chest x-ray can show the evidence. Google; H.A.P.E Institute for Altitude Medicine for more information.

[Hidden in reply to KateMoss]

Where where you to get HAPE?? Climbing a mountain or somewhere at altitude in the world??

I went up to Baggio City in the Phillipines by road and stayed there for two weeks in 1988. The altitude is around 1500 meters.

I flew down to sea level in an unpressurised plane and my inner ear on the right side became affected by the rapid reduction in air pressure. In 1994, I was diagnosed as having an acoustic neuroma so was operated on for it's removal. Since that time, I have suffered most of the medical manifestations of H.A.P.E.