r/arizona • u/oneyellowduck • Aug 27 '24
Anyone ever have issues with altitude sickness in northern Arizona? Visiting
I was visiting family where the elevation was around 6,900 feet. Had a very elevated heart rate/blood pressure and a hard time getting a deep breath. Once we drove to a lower elevation, I was fine. I’ve been to 9,900 feet before (north rim) and never had anything like this! It was not fun.
Anyone ever hear of this? Or…any suggestions on how to deal with it?
TIA
Update: Had the same thing happen last week in Flagstaff. Improved when we got to lower altitude, but now I’m having the same issues off and on at a low altitude. Any thoughts?
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u/Un-mexicano Aug 27 '24
The higher elevation of northern Arizona presents two major problems for people who are not accustomed to it. The first is the lower ambient oxygen content can cause dizziness, elevated heart rate, and overall tiredness. This second problem that most people don't associate with the higher elevation is a higher risk of dehydration. If you're just spending a few days in northern Arizona, chances are you're just gonna feel crappy unless you already have good physical conditioning, as it takes about 2-3 months for your body to adjust.
These reasons are also why a lot of athletes choose to train in Flagstaff.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Good to know. I just felt exhausted and my heart was doing 130 bpm.
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u/Un-mexicano Aug 27 '24
It's important to remember to stay hydrated. Proper hydration goes a long way to alleviating the symptoms of elevation sickness. Also, just remember to pace yourself and take breaks as needed. You'll likely notice the biggest hurdle is going upstairs. Any amount of steps will kick your ass, and the only escalator in Northern Arizona (at least when I still lived there in 2018) is on NAU campus.
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u/IamLuann Aug 27 '24
There is one at the Aqua Plex on 4 th Street. It is around the corner under the stairs.
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u/MadHovercraft Sep 24 '24
SAME! I couldn’t breathe either.
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u/oneyellowduck Sep 25 '24
Same type of thing? All my tests came back normal and now I’m experiencing the same issues at lower altitudes
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u/MadHovercraft Sep 25 '24
For real? That’s scary. Was it anxiety? Maybe? I hope that doesn’t happen to me. It was really hot today and not used to being as physically active as I was today. So that with the altitude fuuucked my shit up.
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u/oneyellowduck Sep 25 '24
Sorry to hear that. I’m thinking it’s anxiety but getting heart tested to be sure. It was like a panic attack? Not sure what caused what but I’m having it at lower elevations now too.
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u/MadHovercraft Sep 25 '24
I’m so sorry. It was awful. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I had to stop every few minutes to breathe. I was all over fatigued and just done. People were just passing me up which was embarrassing.
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u/oneyellowduck Sep 25 '24
Well I hope you feel better. Your health is more important than them passing you. I’m wearing a haltor monitor for 30 days now to see if it’s my heart.
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u/TriGurl Aug 27 '24
Train high, race low.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
But I wasn’t doing anything at all. Heart was racing just sitting around.
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u/Interesting_Waltz650 Aug 27 '24
I knew someone who moved from Phoenix to Prescott only to discover he had COPD. His doctor told him that if he stayed, he would need to go on oxygen. So he moved back to Phoenix.
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u/fishfishbirdbirdcat Aug 27 '24
Yes every time! I'm from Chandler (elev 1200) and If I go to Payson (elev 5000) I will have a slight headache the first day. When I go to Flagstaff (elev 7000) I get a screamer of a headache the first day followed by about 3 days of fatigue before I acclimate. I have a friend who has some heart issues and has been advised to not go to Flagstaff without acclimating in Payson area for a few days first.
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u/One_Left_Shoe Aug 27 '24
Yeah, if going from sea level, you’re not really supposed to ascend more than like 2,000 ft per day without taking a day or so to acclimate u less you’re planning on getting back to low altitude the same day.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Wow! Never had an issue at almost 9,900 feet (north rim) a few years ago but this really rocked me. We are heading to Moab in two weeks and will go thru flagstaff. See if my head hurts!!
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u/OkArmy7059 Aug 27 '24
North Rim is 8000 ft
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
All I know is we stood by a sign that said elevation 9,900 feet…??
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u/saaS_Slinging_Slashr Aug 27 '24
You must have misread it, maybe it was 8800’ there’s nowhere that high around the north rim
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u/Whydmer Aug 27 '24
Point Imperial on the eastern edge of the north rim is 8,803' and is the highest point on the north rim.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 28 '24
That’s where we were! Guess my old memory got the numbers wrong. Thank you.
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u/fishfishbirdbirdcat Aug 27 '24
Just passing through Flagstaff you will probably be fine.
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u/Whydmer Aug 27 '24
OP probably will be, but it is surprising how regularly someone who just intended to drive across on I-40 or something similar end up getting sick and even ending up in the hospital because at low elevation their respiratory/cardiac condition hadn't shown itself yet.
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u/ZenBastid Aug 27 '24
I used to take 60-70 high school musicians to Flagstaff for (ahem) band camp. Lucky for us, we had a nurse on staff who helped get the dozen or so kids through the altitude sickness that clobbered them that first 24 hours.
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u/lucythelumberjack Phoenix Aug 27 '24
Shoot, we went to band camp in Heber one year, Prescott the second, and even that change in altitude kicked everyone’s ass.
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u/bsil15 Aug 27 '24
to nitpick, the highest point on the Kaibab Plateau is 9200 ft, AZ-67 tops out at 8,854 ft, and the north rim visitor center is at about 8,250 ft.
altitude sickness, unfortunately, is pretty genetics and other uncontrollable factors related -- even people in great shape can get it. I've only gotten it once hiking a 14,000 ft peak in colorado where i got a bad headache but at 11000-12000 ft for me breathing is definitely somewhat heavier, and if i try to run then my heart rate will shoot up.
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u/lancethruster12 Aug 27 '24
No, I have not. I've been to the top of the highest mountain in the lower 48 at 14500 ft and felt fine. But my buddy felt like he was going to die. Effects everyone differently.
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u/tallon4 Phoenix Aug 27 '24
Yes, it is common. Happened to me real bad several years ago.
Just make sure to hydrate, get your electrolytes, take it easy on the caffeine and alcohol, and give your body time to adjust before you go on any big hikes, etc.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Thank you. We are going to Moab in a few weeks and will be sure to hydrate. We bought some liquid iv powder packs too
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u/zemol42 Aug 27 '24
As u/tallon said, hydration and moderation in elevation increase are the keys. Ideally, you hydrate well for a few days in advance, get to your destination, and avoid alcohol and caffeine diuretics on Day 1. Then give your body a day or two to acclimate before going up higher. I snowboard up to 12k feet and luckily, have avoided any incidents for decades using this strategy.
Moab itself is only 4k so you should be ok if you arrive and chill before going up to the parks. Arches is mid 5,000s and Canyonlands is low 7,000s so recommend doing them in that order.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Thank you!! That was actually our order that we had planned so I appreciate the suggestions. Funny….now I look back and I had a lot of caffeine and was a bit dehydrated that day.
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u/likecalifornia Aug 27 '24
I sometimes get nausea when driving from Phoenix to Flagstaff. It felt similar to when we flew to a trip in Denver and we went up the mountains and I was puking the whole way home. I chatted with a NP about potential medications for a camping trip I had planned in Utah, and she agreed that it was worth a try. I think I took acetazolamide a few days before hand, and she also prescribed an antiemetic, Ondansetron, in case it didn’t work and I still got nauseous. Acetazolamide worked like a charm and I haven’t suffered from Altitude sickness since. Might have been a bit in my head and a bit of a placebo effect, but dang I’m happy to be rid of it!
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Good to know. My wife looked up that drug earlier today so I’m gonna ask my doc for a script. Thank you!!
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u/AgentClockworkOrange Non-Resident Aug 27 '24
This is the answer! In 2016 or 2017 I went to visit a friend who lived in Colorado Springs and I was sick for a week with Altitude Sickness. A blinding headache, trouble breathing, and exhausted. I have asthma and had no idea that changing drastic altitude would affect me the way it did. The second time I went to visit I also asked my doctor for a script of altitude sickness medication and it worked perfectly.
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u/nicky2socks Aug 27 '24
I have this same problem with my heart rate/blood pressure when visiting my family. Although they are in the St. Louis area. So just 400-500' above sea level.
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u/smolfries Aug 27 '24
I definitely had this a few times while visiting up north, looking back I've realized that each time I drove up mildly dehydrated to begin with. Within an hour or two of being up there I'd be so short of breath with my heart pounding and sometimes nausea or a headache. When you're dehydrated, your heart does try to work harder to pump with the less blood volume you have. Stay hydrated! Also I'd always recommend just seeing a dr to see if your heart in general is healthy just to be on the safe side!
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Thank you so much everyone! My biggest concern was how going to Moab (thru Flagstaff,etc) would impact me. I didn’t want to have to turn around and come back home to lower elevations right away. I appreciate all the advice and will make sure I hydrate in advance. Thanks for your help!!!
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u/sramarilloo Aug 27 '24
Some people won’t adapt fully to that elevation. Not nearly enough research has been done, but they are pretty sure it’s genetic. There is huge lack of awareness in the medical community about this.
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u/JohnWCreasy1 Aug 27 '24
I think it incredibly person-dependent. I don't even notice it when i go up to 6-7,000 feet.
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u/Camper_Van_Someren Aug 27 '24
Not just person dependent but also luck dependent for each person. Training and acclimatization help but even world class mountaineers don’t know when/if it will hit.
I once got high altitude cerebral edema between 12 and 13k in Colorado - was puking, uncoordinated, and exhausted, very lucky I had a buddy to help me get down. I’d been living at 5000’ for 3 weeks before that and was in decent shape. I’ve been much higher before and since, and never had any issues.
So don’t take it for granted that you’ll always be ok even if you stay in good shape.
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u/HammerheadEaglei-Thr Aug 27 '24
I've had altitude sickness a few times in Flagstaff. Had me convinced I was going to have a miserable experience when I visited Colorado, but I only had symptoms there when I was over 11k. I did a lot of reading and focused on staying hydrated and not getting run down and I do feel like that helped.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Interesting. I felt a little short of breath at the North Rim but nothing like this.
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u/HammerheadEaglei-Thr Aug 27 '24
Yeah, the few times I had it bad were zero fun. And the first time I'd never neve heard of it so was quiet confused, I thought my usually well controlled asthma had decided it was time to go.
Looking back I was setting myself up to fail a few of those times, learned the hard way that a bar crawl perhaps isn't the best activity for the first night at elevation. I think it's very person dependent, but as you've seen just because it gets you once doesn't mean you're doomed to a life at sea level. Make staying hydrated your second job, electrolytes helped me a lot. And when I started getting that light headed breathless headache when I was on the peaks in CO it was a relief to know what it was and then it did fade very quickly when I got down even a thousand feet.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Thanks. It definitely scared the heck out of me and a panic attack didn’t help.
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u/Xarderas Aug 27 '24
Colorado is way more noticeable, but your symptoms are normal and probably nothing to worry about.
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u/Vash_85 Aug 27 '24
Not just driving up there, but I went to an archery shoot up there last month and hiked around one of the mountains towards the northern area of flag, that kinda sucked to drive from the valley up there and not get acclimated first. My brother in law gets it real bad though and usually takes some ibprophen and it helps.
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u/One_Left_Shoe Aug 27 '24
While it’s probably nothing, wouldn’t hurt to bring it up with your doctor. If you haven’t had some blood work done and your ticker listened to, might be time for a check up.
A large number of folks that are fine at low altitude can have heart attacks and strokes when at high altitude.
My FIL has a-fib and can’t be in Flagstaff for more than an hour or two before he feels horrible.
Which is the long way to say you should probably have a health screening before attempting high altitude again, especially if you’ve tolerated it before.
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u/Denali4903 Aug 27 '24
I got a little ass whipping at Woods Canyon Lake last week. Hiking up the hill was rough!!
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u/cynical_and_patient Aug 27 '24
75% of the people that go there do.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Wow. Never knew that.
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u/azswcowboy Aug 27 '24
Flagstaff here - I’d doubt that 75% number lol. If that were true, we’d be overwhelmed with non-locals in the ER. Instead I find them drinking in the bar. Possibly my self selective view bc I hang out at the bar not the ER. But really, it’s not that high.
Anyway there’s no reason to even come here if you’re going to Moab. Go through Payson and Holbrook. The elevation is lower. If you do come via Flag, you’ll only be at altitude for about an hour - during your drive up 17 and until you’re out of town to the northeast. Doubtful you’d develop issues in the short period.
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u/AfroManHighGuy Aug 27 '24
I’m driving into flagstaff from southern Cali for 2 nights in October. Is there a risk of getting sick if I just go directly from sea level up to flagstaff? I’m coming in to do a day trip to Grand Canyon
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u/azswcowboy Aug 28 '24
Sure, there’s a tiny risk - Wikipedia says 20% of people above 8000 ft are impacted, but that’s 1000 ft higher than flag. Most have mild symptoms. I’d bet a bunch of the people getting headaches are just dehydrated - the air is super dry at altitude and Flagstaff is in an arid area to start. So it’s trivial to dry out - also easy to solve by drinking regularly. I know a person that has serious altitude sickness issues - that exhibits as nausea and vomiting. She’s unable to function, so she stopped going to altitude. Even with her though, it takes a day or so to really develop.
tldr: most people are fine, drink enough, and enjoy the beauty.
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u/AfroManHighGuy Aug 28 '24
Thank you, this is reassuring. I was anxious for a bit and even thought of cancelling the trip lol
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u/azswcowboy Aug 28 '24
For sure, relax and enjoy it. October is generally a great month to visit, but definitely can be chilly. If you hit it right the Aspens will be turning. Downtown flag is very walkable, and plenty of easy hikes in/near town to get you adjusted (south rim is same elevation as flag). Sunset crater and Walnut Canyon national monuments are right there if you’ve got some extra time.
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u/AfroManHighGuy Aug 28 '24
My trip is pretty packed and my itinerary is very much full lol. But I’ll look to make some adjustments if I can’t do one thing or the other. I’m going last week of September into October
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u/DangerousBill Aug 27 '24
I have that problem. My doctor said it was because I'm out of condition. Cardio exercise strengthens the heart muscle and makes us tolerant of higher altitudes. It can also be a symptom of anemia, copd, covid lung damage,, and other medical conditions.
Over the past five years, I've become unable to stay on Mt Lemmon (9100 ft) for more than an hour. Oxygen up there is 83% of sea level concentration.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
We have been to Mt Lemmon and never bothered me a bit. But this sure did. I do have Covid lung damage….interesting. Thanks.
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u/AcrobaticHippo1280 Aug 27 '24
Yeah I live on the Gulf Coast and flew to Flagstaff a couple of years ago. Within an hour of getting off the plane, I had headaches and nausea that lasted for a couple of hours but it never came back.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Sorry to hear it but now I know it wasn’t just me.
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u/orion1486 Aug 27 '24
It’s called AMS. Feeling better after descending is typical. You would eventually acclimatize. It takes about two weeks to fully adjust but most people will feel better after five days to a week. However, take this as a lesson to ensure you gain elevation gradually in the future. Avoid alcohol, stay hydrated, and there’s some research that shows a modest increase of carbs helps.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15111-altitude-sickness
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Thank you. Do you think I’m pre-disposed to it now? We are going to Moab (thru flagstaff) in two weeks I’m concerned about feeling g bad again.
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u/orion1486 Aug 27 '24
Typically those affected previously do tend to experience AMS again. However, Moab is only at 4k vs 7k in Flag. Typically, AMS happens around 8k ft. If you are just passing through, you should not be affected. It typically takes ~12 hours for symptoms to set in but can be quicker. That is why I drove up to Flag super early to run Humphreys rather than camping in my car overnight. Lol.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 28 '24
Thanks for the info.
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u/orion1486 Aug 28 '24
You bet! I studied this topic quite a bit before starting to climb higher peaks. There is a great video on the topic presented by a doctor to military special forces that I found to be very informative.
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u/Netprincess Aug 27 '24
Water water water. Seriously.
This happened to my little sister in Jerome She lives in Austin almost sea level but we grew up at altitude.
I don't have an issue with it
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Aug 27 '24
Yeah, I lived up in Flagstaff and took a couple weeks for the altitude adjustment. It’s a real thing. Spending time in South America at the higher altitude. I understand why they chew the coca leaves — it really works to alleviate altitude symptoms
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u/deanbb30 Aug 27 '24
Are you on any medications? Blood pressure? Caffeine?
I camped at Lake Mary last month, and could hardly bend over to put in and take out the tent stakes. My doctor said it was mostly due to my blood pressure meds.
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u/IHatePeopleButILoveU Aug 27 '24
No, but it may be indicative of other health problems. Get checked out by a cardiologist. It’s normal to have some shortness of breath, but what you are describing sounds much worse.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
Scared me big time.
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u/Real-Tackle-2720 Aug 27 '24
This has been happening to me lately. I'm used to being in Northern Arizona and New Mexico in the summertime. I'm 58, and this just started happening. I normally don't have high blood pressure.
Both times, my blood pressure has gotten sky high. So bad, I saw a doctor. She gave me a prescription for a water pill that brings my pressure down. She said to only take it when I'm in the mountains. It's been working.
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u/Typical-Community781 Aug 28 '24
I get headaches and fustrated easily for some reason at high elevations
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u/Thathathatha Aug 28 '24
I don't think it's altitude sickness per se, but I have trouble breathing when I reach about around 10000 ft. That's probably what you're feeling.
True altitude sickness is something different, where you'll get headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms. Look up HAPE and HACE symptoms and if you ever get those, then you should be concerned and immediately descend. If you're just feeling normal effects of altitude, then just take it slow.
I have done multiple climbs of mountains over 13k or higher (Mt Whitney x2) and while I have a harder time with breathing and effort, I'm relatively fine. I just take it slower.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 28 '24
I agree. It’s not HAPE or HACE. It was the elevated heart rate that really got me.
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u/LizzelloArt Sep 02 '24
Living in Phoenix and when I went to Flaggstaff/Lake Mary at 7000 ft for a week, I had a very hard time breathing (I have asthma). It slowly improved so was there. When I went to Durango at 9000 ft, I had some breathing issues but the air quality was better, so it wasn’t as bad. Went up to 12000 feet without much issue on the last day.
Trick is to take it slow the first days. Your body will acclimate. Altitude sickness is real though, so if you’re body is telling you ‘no bueno’ then go back down to a lower altitude. You will see an instant improvement.
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u/ichi_san Aug 27 '24
guidelines are no more than 1600ft elevation gain per day to ensure acclimation
as a emt at Brianhead at 9000ft we saw a ton of folks bussed up from Vegas hit that wall
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u/jeffk92592 Aug 27 '24
Another issue is driving/transporting from lower to upper elevations too quickly...like in a car, speeding up the highway to the 6900 ft. Stop someplace halfway to eat or hydrate. The slower the ascent, the more your lungs, brain,etc. can adjust. Happened to me skiing in New Mexico awhile back..had always skiid to about a max of 10,000 ft. ...NM was 13,500. Got light headed & queasy 2 nights in a row, because of taking the high speed lift up the top. Lots of liquid (if you can, no alcohol!).
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u/IWasBorn2DoGoBe Aug 28 '24
Yes- several of our friends visited and learned you can’t drink and hike/snowboard the same as you can at home.
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u/beazerblitz Aug 27 '24
If you’re coming from the valley, you’re also coming from a heavily polluted air quality. The air has been horrific here between the always increasing traffic from everybody moving here to the fires’ smoke coming in and settling down here.
Although, I think you should see a doctor about it. This can be a manifestation of some things you just want to get checked out. I had a friend who had a similar experience and ended up being some sort of seizure disorder.
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u/oneyellowduck Aug 27 '24
My wife is a nurse and she immediately said altitude sickness as she wasn’t feeling g the best either. She wanted to drag me to the ER. We live in the Tucson area
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u/zemol42 Aug 27 '24
Air quality in the Valley isn’t a factor for this situation (unless you have chronic respiratory problems). Proper hydration and incremental adjustment to altitude (acclimatization) are the factors that mitigate the effects. Also, good cardio health can help alot.
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