hiking high elevations with PVC's

I am a female, mid 40's, who's had PVC's for over 20 years-usually made worse with exercise or caffeine. Been through all the tests a few times and nothing alarming has ever been noted. Rarely, but sometimes, they are painful, feel like a hammer hitting me in the chest and taking my breath away for a moment, never lasting longer than a few seconds. My question is, 'has anyone out there ever climbed high elevations with this condition?' I love to hike and have hiked to 12,000 feet without a problem, however, my regular doctor is telling me not to do Mt. Whitney (14,500) because she thinks my heart will start skipping/adding beats at the higher elevation because of the lack of oxygen, while my cardiologist thinks it's no big deal. Does anyone know of anyone with this condition who has climbed high elevations and what was the result? Thanks!

[deedle1976]

HI, I did come across something in the literature written by a man who wore a holter monitor whilst climbing and he did experience quite a large increase in ectopic activity. I think he was in his sixties though and everyone's different so you may not be the same. I guess even if you do have an increase it's not harmful so it's really a matter of whether you can handle the symptoms.

[deedle1976]

If you did 12,000 feet with no problem I can't imagine and extra 2,500 feet making any difference.

[Barbarella]

Listen to your Cardiologist NOT to your regular doctor.  The Cardiologist is the Specialist in that field.

In 2006 I was in an 18,000 feet altitude and no PVC's.  I've been suffering from PVC's off and on for the last 45 yrs.  I too was scared to go that high but our daughter said "if the skips come we just go back down" :)  So I went without having one PVC.

[Barbarella]

Never mind I told you wrong.  It was 10.000 feet.  It was at/on top of  the "Zugspitze" in Germany.

[CollegeGirl143]

I agree.. Let your cardiologist advise you on this subject.