Responses to high altitude

• What are the responses of body systems to high altitude?

  -Hypoxia

  -Increased breathing rate

  -Increased heart rate

  -Reduced VO2 max

  -Altitude sickness
• What is hypoxia?

  When the body is deprived of oxygen. Without acclimatization the body's tissue may become hypoxic and deprived of adequate oxygen
• What is increased breathing rate?

  Involves increased ventilation of the lungs caused by impaired gaseous exchange in the lungs
• What is increased heart rate?

  Tachycardia is a resting heart rate above normal(more than 100bpm)
• What is a reduced VO2 max?

  Estimated reduction in VO2 max of 2 per cent for every 300 meters above 1500 metres above sea level
• What is altitude sickness?

  Brought on by ascent to high altitude and characterized by a shortage of oxygen which leads to hyperventilation, exhaustion and nausea