We have covered this before. Yes altitude can trigger afib. Also, read this:

http://www.theheart.org/article/1036775.do

"For those with arrhythmias, rapid ascent to altitude might result in faster heart rates in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter, so patients should be advised to consider increasing doses of beta blockers, for example, say Higgins et al. And although there is a theoretical risk of increased ventricular arrhythmias based on increased sympathetic tone, this "does not appear to be clinically relevant," they observe."

petey

Thanks, paceyetep. I'll search past posts; should have to begin with.

I have a beta blocker as a pill in the pocket; otherwise I take nothing for this condition. (I've only had three episodes, all in the last eight months). I mentioned taking a beta blocker for the first night at altitude to my cardiologist and he nixed the idea.

I don't have persistant afib, or flutter as far as tests can tell.

I'm having trouble deciphering the last sentence of the report that you quote.

Hi Hegel, it's been a while since I've posted on behalf of my husband. Chris,49 was diagnosed with afib a little over a year ago. We also live at sea level central coast of California . He had an episode of afib 2 months post diagnosis in Mammoth, California when we were camping at 8500 feet elevation. (It was a pretty bad episode, and to make matters worse we had no idea what afib was)Went to ER he was cardioverted successfully. (ER doc told us a lot of affibers are affected by high altitude) Since then he has had an ablation , we have returned to mammoth and the elevation has not been a problem. He also was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (ex football player with a neck larger than 18 inches) he currently uses a CPAP nightly and loves it! Remote camping is interesting as my husband has had to rewire our 5th wheel to have enough battery power to run the cpap! One thing that seems to help Chris is we go to high altitude slowly to acclimate him, and hydration is very important. Hope this help, Lisa

hegel: Don't worry about the last sentence... it is a different issue that isn't clinically relevant. petey

I go from 5280 Feet to about 12K almost every weekend hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter and it has not effect on my afib cycle.

I'm mean no effect. Also be careful on this site or you'll be scared to do anything and will just lay in bed all the time, drinking water, because everything else will trigger afib.

keepumping: I agree that people shouldn't restrict their activities if they feel fine, but it is also good to be informed about things you can do when you fly or go to high altitudes. Hydrating, ascending slowly at really high altitudes (the same things they tell you for altitude sickness), and informing your doctor where you are going are good ideas. It depends if your afib is caused by other heart issues how you will respond. For example, people with high blood pressure are affected. Personally, I go wherever I want and exercise freely. I DO take it easy the first day when at elevations of 7,500 feet and above. -petey

Great question, so much of this stuff is unique to any one individual but I climbed around for a week at around 10k (I live a 200ft) and did lots of steeps and no afib. I went down to around 6000 ft after that and went into AFIB while I was asleep. I was AMAZED how gassed and nauseous it made me even at 6k feet. When in AFIB at sea level, no big deal, I could run 6 miles easy, breath harder and be slower but did not feel lousy like I did at 6K and in AFIB. One of the reasons I HATE afib is that it does not mix well for me with altitude and I like spend time up high. Smells great, looks great, feels great, well you know.

Oh, also,I read one of the most important things for everyone, including afibbers, is where you sleep. If you go to a place like Yellowstone or Mt Ranier, if you sleep at a lower altitude, it is better. I never would have thought of that. petey

yYou're right it is good to be informed. I also made a mistake in my first post. Lying down can be a trigger and the water has to be cool not cold. Just jesting with you all.