Q. Some friends invited me to accompany them to Rocky Mountain National Park. I'd love to go, but I have high blood pressure and worry that high altitudes are dangerous for people with this condition. Is that the case?
A. If you have high blood pressure but are otherwise healthy, your blood pressure is under control, and you take some precautions, a trip to the Rocky Mountains should be fine.
The higher you travel, the less oxygen you take in with each breath. The body responds by increasing the heart rate and the amount of blood pumped with each beat. This temporarily increases blood pressure until the body adapts to the lower oxygen level, usually within a couple of days.
The rule of thumb for spending time at a higher altitude is to go no higher than 8,000 feet in the first leg of the trip, and stay there for at least one night. After that, go up no more than 2,000 feet at a time, with an overnight stay between each ascent. For your trip, I would suggest spending a few days in Granby or Estes Park, two of the "gateways" to the park. Both are at elevations just under 8,000 feet.
Take it easy for a day or two before doing any strenuous hiking or other activity. Pay attention to how you feel. If you are feeling fine, go a couple thousand feet higher each day. Take your blood pressure and other medicines, drink plenty of water, and pay attention to your body.
About one-quarter of people who rapidly travel to 8,000 feet experience some symptoms of mountain sickness. These include headache, nausea, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. They usually disappear as the body gets used to the higher elevation. If they continue or get worse, or if you find yourself short of breath at rest, become confused, or have trouble walking in a straight line, immediately seek medical attention. A rapid descent, oxygen, and specific medications may be necessary if this occurs.