Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: altitude and CHF

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Cardiomyopathy

My wife has been diagnosed with nonischemic cardiomyopathy with a current
ejection fraction of 40%. We had been planning to retire to a town at
4200 feet altitude, but this would seem contrary to the medication goal
of reducing the work of the heart. Is there any evidence about the rate
of progression of congestive health failure at altitudes like this
compared to lower altitudes?

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Dear Neil

There are no controlled clinical trials that have looked into your question. However, assuming that your wife is asymptomatic from her cardiomyopathy, the move to the high altitude location should not pose a problem, especially once her body gets used to it. I doubt it would affect the rate of progression of her cardiomyopathy.

I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.

Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.

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