Maximum Load: The High-Altitude Heart on Everest

Cardiovascular Strain During a Mount Everest expedition

The Cardiac Engine

At the Mount Everest summit, your heart is performing a physical miracle. To compensate for the thin air, your cardiac output changes significantly to keep your brain and muscles alive during the final push of a Mount Everest expedition.

The Resting Pulse Surge at 5,000m

Don't be alarmed if your resting heart rate at Everest Base Camp is double your normal rate. This is the body's primary response to hypoxia, a key stage of acclimatization for every Everest trekking enthusiast and summit climber.

Doctor checking a climber's heartbeat with a stethoscope
Managing Stroke Volume during Expedition

At extreme altitude, the actual amount of blood your heart pumps with each beat decreases. To maintain flow to the Mount Everest summit, the heart must beat much faster, leading to the rapid fatigue felt during high-altitude expeditions.

Long-Term Health Benefits of Everest Training

Returning from the Mount Everest summit region often results in a more efficient cardiovascular system. Many find that their sea-level fitness reaches a new peak after the intense conditioning of a Mount Everest expedition and Everest trekking.

Trust Your Heart

Your heart is your most loyal partner on the mountain. Give it the time it needs at Everest Base Camp to prepare for the ultimate test of the Mount Everest summit. Congratulations on your strength.