I had a heart attack in July 2018 and thankfully made a full recovery. This April I will be in Tenerife and am considering going on the cable car up Mt Teide, which is over 3500 metres above sea level.
Any advice as to whether I should do this very much appreciated. I feel fine, yet the brochure warns against those with heart disease attempting it!
if there is a warning, it’s there for a reason so common sense would dictate the answer is no.
Does an increase in adrenaline or anxiety or stress cause you issues since heart attack? If no symptoms I can appreciate you saying you feel fine but might be a different case at high altitude?
Bhf says this:
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....
However i get “the wobbles” after getting off a bus so……….😂
Thank you Fanfab1, I should have spent longer searching the BHF website!
BHF says ‘Avoid travelling to high altitudes (above 2,000 metres) as the higher you go above sea level, the less oxygen there is in the air. This means that less oxygen will be carried in your blood. This can cause headaches, extreme breathlessness or can bring on angina symptoms’.
Hi Kasztan, In 2011 I had a stent inserted to relieve angina symptoms caused by a severely blocked LAD. I did not have a heart attack. Each year since then I’ve visited the French Alps; in summer for walking holidays and in winter for skiing. The house is located at about 1,500m, the top of the highest cable car and chairlift are around 3200m.
The first day or two at 1,500m and the altitude is noticeable. A short round walk of say 5km involving 150m of climbing can bring on slight breathlessness. Later on, even after being well acclimatised at that altitude of 1,500m, taking the lift to 3,200m you experience the same thing again.
Generally when skiing, you get off the lift, have a short walk about, maybe take some photos then make your way down soon after. So only a short time is spent at the highest altitude. However, some of the peaks have viewpoints which you climb up to. At that altitude the thinner air is very noticeable. I find the best thing to do is keep moving steadily but very slowly. If climbing never try to take a big step upwards, break it down into lots of little ones.
I have never noticed any heart problems, chest pain/angina etc only the shortness of breath that everyone experiences. If anything I am less severely affected than most of the others I have been with.
This is my experience of being at that altitude many times. I hope it helps.
I’ve now read the link provided by Fanfab 1. In my case the stent insertion cured the angina with no recurrence of symptoms. So it’s not a recent diagnosis. I am now 65, exercise regularly and would consider myself above average fitness for that age group.
Hi - thank you for this detailed response. I had triple bypass in Feb 2023 and have ski holiday planned for end Jan. We deliberately planned for low altitude resort but with option to go higher if I felt able to. I am quite nervous about the trip but cardiologist says no reason why I shouldn't - just to be aware of impact of altitude and to take it easy. Your post has reassured me that it's not a crazy idea! Thanks
That’s reassuring information from your cardiologist. I think the exercise, the sense of wellbeing and the exhilaration from being in the mountains are all good for the heart.
Stunning!
Thank you Lonmayloon for sharing your experience. Think I'll err on the side of precaution.
Oxygen levels at sea level are 21% approx and at 3500 metres are around 13%. Personally I wouldent attempt it.
I am 60 and had a heart attack with a stent inserted last August and went up Mt Teidi using the cable car in October.. I walked around at the top without any issues but at low levels not attempting to go to the top of the volcanic cone for example. Before this, I was walking about 10,000 steps daily on most days and had no issues with breathlessness or chest pain at all.
Everyone is different so if you do ascend, take it easy walking around and don’t overdo it
Many years befoe my heart attack I suffered altitude sickness on safarii in Kenya. Not something I'd ever want to experience again. The severity was probably linked to the fact I had an undiagnosed heart problem. I believe the air is less oxygenated the higher you go. I'd just enjoy looking up from where the cable car starts, you still get great views. getting there
My recollection is that the warning is related to sulphur fumes rather than just the altitude,
I would advise you to check with your cardiologist. The altitude caused John Peel's fatal heart attack on a visit to Peru. I always wanted to visit Peru but no longer have it on my bucket list!
I had multiple stents in early June 2023. After two months of biking and intermittent jogging at sea level I went on a vacation in Sierra Nevada mountains. Stayed at a cabin at 7,200 ft elevation. First night I experienced a sensation of needing to catch my breath and my blood pressure went up to 150 /90. Texted my cardiologist and he recommended that I increase my blood pressure meds it did not improve by the third day. The second day BP dropped to 135/ 80 with no breathing symptoms. By third day I started hiking, and biking and doing a ropes course…with no ill effects. Upon return to sea level BP dropped to my normal level of 120/65. Never had to increase dosage of BP meds. I would ask your cardiologist recommendation for med dosage changes so you can be prepared ahead of time. I am 70 yrs old.
Hi there, I just did the gondola at Lake Tahoe in the US and was at 2743 meters with no problems. Even spent several hours at the top but was stationary, little walking. Had a HA and stent in 2022. Hope you too get to enjoy your Tenerife adventure with no problems.
I have been up Mount Teide twice. The first time was over 40 years ago and I climbed to the very top from the cable car. I felt very breathless on the climb and that was when I was young and fit and without heart disease. I wouldn't attempt in my current condition with heart disease. The second time I went up was about 13 years ago and there was then an official change in policy about going to the top. Because the Spanish authorities were worried about erosion of the path to the top, you could only go up if you had official permission from some agency on the Island and at the time I went, you had to visit some office in the capital to get the paperwork to do so, there was no way to do it online. I think this was to put tourists off going to the top and it worked on me. There might have been a charge as well. Now, if you don't have summit permission, you can walk around the outside of the crater and there is some up and down on that path, but it is nowhere near as strenuous as going to the top. Bear in mind that the cable cars are booked up and down and you will only be allowed a certain amount of time at the top so there is a time limit on any walk that you do, Still fantastic views though. You can see Gran Canaria and strangely it was a perfectly sunny day when I went up and the only cloud I could see in the distance covered the entirety of GC. It must have been caused by moisture rising from the island. If you do go up, take a fingertip pulse oximeter with you and be prepared to stop or slow down if your blood oxygen level drops. Also bear in mind my last experience was about 13 year ago so things might have changed again regarding permissions.
Hi, you should discuss it with your cardiologist. Simple as that.
I had a heart attack (nstemi type2) suspected root cause - undiagnosed and untreated atrial fibrillation. Angiogram with no interventions, discharged with medication and exercise. Prior to that I was a healthy and fit individual - keen climber/ mountaineer.
This is now nearly 5 years ago, my arrhythmia is controlled by some low dose anti medication (Flecainide) and I have now been ‘Afib free’ for 3.5+ years. Post heart attack, I was left with slight left ventricle dysfunction as well but this has gone and my heart is ‘structurally normal’ again.
My recovery has been very good, lots exercise, maintaining high exercise tolerance. Afib very stable.
Still climbing but I had a desire to go back to altitude (4000+ m) - risks: cardiovascular stimulation, ‘stickier’ blood, pro-arrhythmic.I discussed with by cardiologist and given my personal situation he was ok for me to do this. Currently planning a trip.
I also recently asked about resuming scuba diving. I was thinking of warm water, while on holiday - no more diving in the UK. He was ok to approve this. No cold water diving (avoid cold water shock response) and no deep dives (above 30 m).
At every juncture (be it, resuming long haul travel or rock climbing) I sought the opinion/approval of my doctor and balanced against what I know about myself (physically and mentally condition) to make a decision. I am determined not to let recent history define the rest of my life.
Best - male, 57, UK
Hi Kasztan, I have multiple stents, a bypass and arteriosclerosis in most areas of my body, but have never had a heart attack. When I was in my 40s I visited Mt Teide . I went up in the cable car and had some breathlessness and slight angina initially so only my husband went on to the top. I still enjoyed the trip with great views from the cable car station . 15 years later I went up mount Etna by car, but had to be left in the carpark of the way up with similar symptoms, while the rest of my party went on to the top. I.still felt that I'd had a great experience. I think the advice given about getting your cardiologist 's opinion is essential, as is listening to your body and if you don't reach any pinnacles just enjoy the experience, whatever it is.
Hi Kasztan, just a point for you to consider, what will be the cover on your travel insurance if something went amiss.? Check this out before you make any decision.
Hi Kasztan, I went up in 2017 before I knew I had any heart problems I was very fit then. However, the cable car goes up very fast (350m/min) so little time to adjust. When I got to the top I had uncomfortable sensations of not being able breath enough air. I took the next cable car back down. You may find that your travel insurance does not cover you above 2500m.
I wouldn’t consider going up now (with heart failure and ARVC). Even driving up to the caldera (2200m) may have an effect. It’s the speed of ascent that is the issue. When I cycled up I was fine.
I would take a slow drive up to the caldera and enjoy the stunning scenery there and the view up to Tiede rather than going up the summit.
Have a fab break!
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