Effect of high altitude on metabolic rate?

[XMan]

Is there any discernible effect?

I would think that less oxygen would mean more breaths per minute to provide the body the same amount of O2, with a correspondingly higher heart rate.

Does this make sense? I'm going from about 500 feet above sea level (central Indiana) to about 8000 feet above sea level (northwesten Colorado.)

 

[Susan]

I vacationed this summer in Santa Fe, NM (7000')having come from NY (about 300' above sea level).

I got winded from just climbing one flight of stairs in the hotel. I smoke, but my sister who traveled with me does not, and she also had the same problem. Just walking around we didn't notice any breathlessness, though.

I wouldn't want to go there and run a marathon if I were you.

 

[Isla]

Susan

I was there a month ago... Sante Fe and Taos... isn't it glorious? oh, I did not want to leave! I'm already trying to find my way back.

I'm pretty fit and I did notice a difference (since I am coming from sea level) but it was kind of exhilarating to me.

 

[SuperGroove]

I live in Colorado..WAHOO! While you guys gasp for breath climbing those stairs, I'm waiting for you to catch up Anyways...whenever I go down to the east coast, I just feel so sluggish. So maybe...I tacked on 10lbs when I went to Korea for a month, then lost it in a few weeks when I came back home. Hmm...