Welcome to the Mile High City!

% of Air Compared to Sea Level:

Sea Level - 100%
5,280 ft (Denver) - 83%
10,000 ft (Vail, CO - top of chair lift) - 66%
29,035 ft (top of Mt. Everest) - 30%

 Altitude Tips!

Consume 40% to 50% more water than you would at sea level – but drink it throughout the
entire day rather than consuming large amounts intermittently.

Adjust activity levels during this time, when your body is getting used to higher altitude, to
help ease feelings tiredness or weakness. Overexertion can make altitude-related
symptoms worse. Because high altitude increases stress on the body, adequate
amounts of sleep – like afternoon naps and longer periods of nighttime rest – can help.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which cause dehydration. Altitude also intensifies intoxication.
The actual effects of alcohol on the brain are very similar to the effects of mild hypoxia or
oxygen starvation. At higher altitude, this is exaggerated because of the thinner air.

Wear sunscreen – at high altitude, there is less atmosphere to block the sun’s rays, so
sunburns occur more easily.

Quick Tips for Adjusting to Altitude

• Eat lightly
  
• Drink plenty of fluids
  
• Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours
  
• Get plenty of rest
  
• Avoid overexertion and minimize exercise the first day or two

High and Dry
The relative humidity at altitude is extremely low; the air continually draws moisture out of the
body and speeds up breathing, causing the body to lose moisture more rapidly so your skin
feels very dry.

Traveling to high altitudes can be stressful to everyone, but especially for people with weak
hearts, or pre-existing heart, lung or circulatory disease. This is because your heart pumps
harder to get more oxygen through the body.

Symptoms
The sudden change to high altitude can cause headache, nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, restlessness and shortness of breath. Palpitations, or fast heartbeat, nasal congestion, coughing,
easily fatigued and difficulty exercising may also occur. People refer to this as “altitude sickness”
and some compare it to feelings of a bad hangover.

Altitude illness can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition, and is particularly
common in altitudes over 6,000 feet (such as visiting the nearby foothills and mountains).
Initial complaints should disappear as your body adjusts to the lower oxygen and dryness –
usually from a few days to a few weeks.

• If you are over 35 and plan strenuous exercise while at high altitude, first check
  with your doctor.
  
• If you have a history of heart, circulatory or lung disease, always check with your doctor
  before coming to high altitude. Respiratory infections should be resolved before heading
  to high altitude since the illness can worsen.
  
• Pregnant women should check with their physician before exerting at high altitude.

 Heart Attack Symptoms

Traveling to high altitudes can affect those with heart, lung or circulatory disease.
Know the Warning Signs:
Chest discomfort. Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes,
or that goes away and comes back; uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Shortness of breath.

Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body including one or both arms, the
back, neck, jaw or stomach.

For women. Heart attack signs may not include chest discomfort. Other symptoms
may include nausea/vomiting or dizziness, unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
and stomach or abdominal pain.

Other signs: Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

 Stroke Symptoms

Know the Warning Signs:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Try the FAST Test:
Face: Ask him to smile.
Arms: Ask him to raise both arms.
Speech: Ask him to speak a simple sentence.
Time: Waste no time Not all of these warning signs occur in every stroke. If any symptoms occur, don’t wait. Get help immediately and call 911.