Older Age as a Predictive Risk Factor for Acute Mountain Sickness

The population and proportion of older persons is increasing worldwide,1 a demographic representing up to 48% of high altitude trekkers,2 and 60 – 70% of hikers and tourists.3, 4 With older age comes an increased risk of more severe medical and traumatic illness and worse outcomes,5, 6 however the concern for increasing age as a risk factor for altitude illness is unclear. Acute mountain sickness is a constellation of distressing and often debilitating symptoms encountered in 40 – 80% of those ascending rapidly to high altitude.
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Clinical Research Study Source Type: research