Breathing at altitude (not on a plane)

[sinclair61]

Hi

I was wondering at what height people start having trouble breathing? And what is your FEV?

I am off to Cape Town in February and was wondering whether I will be able to go up to table mountain

Still such a difficult mindset to have to accept, that I even need to think about these things. Was only skiing at high altitude less than 2 years ago but last January changed all that

Thanks

Sinclair

[stone-UK]

Hi

The only person to be able to give a definitive answer would be your GP.

3563ft is a long away above sea level. Even in the cable car I am sure there is lots of excertion that will impact on your breathing.

As your are experienced in high altitude, your GP may give you reassuring news.

Would be a nice accomplishment. Plus we get some nice photos.

Planes are set at 8000 feet.

[sinclair61 in reply to stone-UK]

I am largely fine on planes

I was planning on hiking up. I thought at least that way I could take it gradually and see if it was affecting me

Thanks

Sinclair

[stone-UK in reply to sinclair61]

Hi

I would take that on advice, excertion and altitude may not go together so well.

Still wish you luck.

[O2Trees]

Hi Sinclair, I was at walking at around 7000 ft at Angel Fire in the U.S. in 1995 and had to come down lower as I couldn't breathe at all. I wasn't yet diagnosed with copd but had asthma and thought it was just that. But in 2000 I was dxd with copd well into the moderate stage so Im pretty sure I had at least mild copd in 1995. You're not going so high but still important you do ask your GP and/or do some research. Hope your plans work out

[Hidden]

Ok I have been told 1200 meters is good enough and never above 2000 meters

[diesel12]

I was up in the foothills of central France, it's quite high but I'm not sure how high and my breathing was the best it's been in years. I think it was down to how clear an unpolluted it was but I was able to walk up hills etc without even puffing!

[Phil40]

I skydive and you cannot go above 12500 feet before you need oxygen in the plane.

So don’t do that.

It’s a bit silly anyway to be honest

[Ergendl]

The first time I knew I had a problem (which turned out to be moderate COPD) was when I got out of the cable car on Mount Teide in Tenerife at about 3500 metres, and felt really ill, gasping for breath. I took the next cable car back down to 3000 metres and felt fine. Got it checked out by my GP as soon as I got home from the holiday and was eventually diagnosed with COPD after heart problems had been ruled out.

I have no problems at the moment when flying, perhaps because the reduction of oxygen is more gradual, giving my body time to adjust. I have checked my sats while flying and they've stayed at around 99%.

[Sunflower13]

Hi,

I have 29% lung capacity & asthma. I went up in the cable car to the top of Table Mountain a couple of years ago - tried to walk around, but I was so breathless. Instead I sat & watched the clouds coming & going, plus through me & took in the magnificent views over Cape Town. It was breathtaking & im so glad that I did it as one of the things I always wanted to do. I should add I have to have oxygen when flying though, but managed this w/o as long as I didn't move around too much. You should always check with your doctor/Resp nurse before booking anything though. I hope you make it there 🌻

[Pietba]

Hallo I'm from SA and live 2500 Meters above Sea Level - Moderate - no problem going up with the Cable car but would advise against hiking up - The front too steep and is for mountain climbers. From the back you can walk up but its a long walk and will take you a full day up and down that is if the weather allows. At the moment there are heatwaves in the Cape and that will punish you - Friend of mine send me a picture last week Thursday. - 42 Degrees Centigrade.