Assessment of Six-minute Walking Distance Between Sea Level LA vs. High Altitude HA After Re-ascent in Healthy Individuals

Effect of a One-week Descent From 2850m to Sea Level and Re-ascent in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Healthy Controls Permanently Living > 2600m on Pulmonary Hemodynamics, Exercise Capacity, Blood Oxygenation, Sleep Disordered Breathing and Further Outcomes

To study the effect of a re-ascent after a one-week stay at sea level (after prior descent from 2850m) to high altitude (Quito Ecuador: 2850m) on six-minute walking distance and other scores in healthy individuals, who live permanently >2600m.

The aim of this research is to investigate the six-minute walking distance and other scores before and after re-ascent (sea level for 7 days vs. re-ascent to 2850m) in healthy individuals, who permanently live at high altitude over 2600m.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18-80 years and of all genders
• Permanent residence > 2600 m
• healthy: no self-perceived cardiopulmonary disease limiting daily activities
• written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age <18 years or >80 years
• Participants who cannot follow the study investigations
• Participants permanently living < 2600m
• Participants who traveled and stayed overnight at altitudes <2000 m in the past 4 weeks.
• any self-perceived cardiopulmonary disease limiting daily activities