The Relationship Between Acute Mountain Sickness and Pulmonary Ventilation at 2,835 Meters (9,300 Ft)

We have demonstrated a small but statistically significant decrease in forced vital capacity and in pulmonary flow rates among 126 persons studied daily for the first three days after arrival at an altitude of 2,835 meters (9,300 ft). Nearly half of these individuals had symptoms attributable to altitude sickness, and those with the most dyspnea and worst headache also showed the greatest changes in pulmonary function studied. We suggest that there is a relationship between the symptoms of altitude sickness and pulmonary function consistent with the appearance of early interstitial or alveolar edema.