Aortic insufficency and High Altitude

  : : Hi -
  : : I am age 49 and have mild aortic insufficiency.  Discovered at age 30
  : : through stethoscopic examination.  Cause unknown.  Speculation is
  : : rheumatic fever, although if so, was not recognized at the time.
  : : I am asymptomatic andnot limited in my activities in general.  
  : : SBE prohylaxis for dental
  : : work.
  : : My question is concerning the reasonability for exposure to high
  : : altitude.  
  : : The trip I am considering involves little or no exertion at the
  : : high altitudes.
  : :
  : : Day 1 -  plane flight from sea level to 11000 ft.  sleep at 11000
  : : Day 2 -  travel by truck form 11000 to 13500.  sleep at 13500
  : : day 3 -  travel by truck to 9000, and then begin rafting (mild exertion).
  : : The rest of the trip should not be a problem.
  : : So,
  : : 1) Am I at increased risk of altitude sickness due to the
  : :    aortic insufficiency?
  : : 2) If I do develop altitude sickness, are complication risks increased
  : :    due to my heart condition?
  : : 3) Any complications with the standard drug given to help prevent
  : :    altitude sickness related to my condition.
  : : Thanks a lot,
  : : Bruce
  : --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  : Dear Bruce,
  : Thank you for your question.  Where are you thinking about going?  It sounds like fun.  There is no increase risk of altitude sickness with aortic valve disease and the treatment for altitude sickness is immediate descent to lower altitude so I see no increased risk there.  I do not recommend prophylactic medication for altitude sickness to my patients as the risks outweigh the benefits in my opinion.  Be sure to check with your doctor before making your final plans.  Have fun if you go!
  : I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
  : If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
  Thanks for the quick answer.
   I hope to be going to Peru (rafting and other activities).
   An additional question:
  I thought the basic side effect to Diamox were tingling in the
  extremeties and a diuretic effect.  
  Is the the possible prevention of the illness not worth those side
   effects?
  Thanks again, Bruce
----------------------------------------------------
Dear Bruce,
The final decision is between you and your doctor but my opinion is that the usefulness of Demedex in preventing altitue sickness is low and as with any drug there are risks to Demedex.  Have fun if you decide to go.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.