Optimize cardiac care for patients exposed to mountain altitudes

Millions of travellers, athletes, and residents face cardiovascular challenges at high altitude each year, yet clinicians often lack specialized guidance for these patients. High Altitude Cardiology provides a comprehensive review of cardiac physiology and pathology related to altitude exposure. Written by a specialist in preventive cardiology and mountain medicine education, this reference synthesizes current knowledge for optimal patient care.

The book examines cardiac adaptations in both normal and diseased hearts, covering hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and valvular conditions at altitude. Specialized chapters address considerations for pregnancy, paediatric & geriatric patients, and congenital heart diseases.

Readers will find:

• Clinical case studies illustrating real-world presentations and management decisions in high altitude environments
• Evidence-based guidance on cardiovascular drug efficacy and safety in reduced oxygen environments
• Pre-exposure screening protocols to identify at-risk individuals before travel, trekking, or altitude relocation
• Synthesis of decades of research on cardiac physiology and disease management in mountain and high-altitude settings

High Altitude Cardiology serves cardiologists, sports medicine physicians, general practitioners, and nurses who care for mountaineers, altitude travellers, and residents of elevated regions. Students in mountain medicine and cardiology courses will discover authoritative guidance for navigating altitude-related cardiac challenges.

Leonida Compostella teaches Prevention of Cardiac Diseases at Altitude in the Master Course of Prevention and Emergencies in Mountain Areas at the University of Padua. He previously served as Director of the Division of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation of the University of Padova at Institute Codivilla-Putti at Cortina d’Ampezzo. He has published over seventy scientific papers and various chapters in cardiology books, including A Brief History of Cardiac Auscultation, translated into English and Chinese.