Journal international de médecine physique et de réadaptation
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Circulatory Hyperactivity and Risk of Heart Attack in Elderly Persons During High Land Physical Activity: Concomitant Risk for Rescuers Who May Work on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Rie Mieda, Shigeru Saito, Yusuke Matsui, Masafumi Kanamoto, Masaru Tobe, Hiroshi Koyama

Objective: Wide blood pressure fluctuations among elderly persons can be a cause of cardiovascular events. Physicians working in suburban hospitals adjacent to highland resorts often see cases hospitalized following some weekend activities, mostly with cardiovascular events. Authors examined hemodynamic and muscle power parameters of the weekend trekkers, on site, and reviewed risks of high land trekkers and rescuers who may work on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Materials and methods: To know the circulatory and muscular conditions of people visiting a suburban resort by themselves, a health check-up was organized in a ropeway station. Blood pressure, heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, and hand and back muscle powers were measured before and after a physical activity, outdoor trekking. Also, authors’ previous reports regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation at high altitudes were reviewed.

Results: Significantly higher blood pressure was observed in elderly persons than in other age groups (p<0.05). 13 out of 31 in only elderly persons (male 9/18 and female 4/13) had blood pressure higher than 160 mmHg. A decrease in blood pressure after trekking was apparent among elderly visitors (p<0.05). There was no difference between male and female visitors. A limited number of visitors had interest in muscle power measurements.

Conclusions: Many elderly persons have risk factors for cardiovascular accidents. Leisure activity-related accidents caused by heart attacks or strokes tend to be more common in this population. Suburban medical staff should be well prepared for this, and elderly persons should be made aware of their fluctuating circulatory parameters and their increased risk of emergency diseases and injuries, especially in remote settings. Furthermore, applying CPR places major demands on the body of rescuers at high altitude.