The Road to “Defeating Hypoxia” is a Timely Exposure to Chronic Hypoxia

Abstract

Acute exposure to hypobaric hypoxia can give rise to acute mountain sickness, and in some severe cases, high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), that can sometimes lead to the loss of life. However, once the acute phase evolves into gradual adaptation to a fixed “chronic hypoxia” altitude, following the Adaptation to High Altitude Formula (adaptation to high altitude = time / altitude), the organism does remarkably well. Life under chronic hypoxia, where an optimal hematocrit is reached for every fixed altitude, following a logarithmic curve in relation to time, is practically as normal as that at sea level. The cities of La Paz (3100–4100 m) and El Alto (4100 m) stand as living proof of this. Over 2 million inhabitants carry out perfectly normal lives, undisturbed by hypoxia and most even unaware of its existence. The lungs increase in volume, the right heart is mildly hypertrophied secondary to a normal adaptive pulmonary hypertension (relative to sea level). All the cells of the organism likewise adapt to a lower arterial oxygen arterial partial pressure (PaO2) but also to a lower arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), an essential component that linked to an increased hemoglobin explain the paradox of increased “tolerance to hypoxia” at high altitude. The higher the altitude, the more tolerance to hypoxia. Life under chronic hypoxia is not only tolerable, but also is, in fact, favorable to improve or treat many pathological conditions such as asthma, coronary artery disease, obesity and even giving rise to improved longevity. “Every living being, according to the genetic buildup—that determines their species, race and sex—has an optimal form of adaptation and the proof lies in a successful reproduction and survival at any altitude.” – Prof. Dr. Gustavo Zubieta-Calleja