Cardiopulmonary Effects of Stressful Exercise at Altitude (4,000 FT) of Individuals with Sickle Cell Trait (HbAS or SCT).
Abstract
Controversy persists regarding the risks assumed by individuals with SCT while engaged in activities that would involve a greater likelihood of exposure to hypoxic environments and other stress situations such as performing strenuous exercise especially at altitude. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of a hypoxic stimulus (simulated altitude of 2300m) on the interactions of Hemoglobin S (%HbS), sickling (%S), and acute strenuous physical exertion in SCT volunteers compared to controls. The study population included healthy black make basic recruits with well characterized SCT (HbAS) (n=11) and a comparable control group (HbAA) (n=11). Utilizing current physiological methodology, we were unable to detect any subtle physiologic differences between the two groups. The consistently lower haptoglobin levels observed in SCT subjects compared to controls may reflect a chronic low grade, sub-clinical hemolytic state in these individuals. Increasing environmental hypoxia up to a simulated altitude of 3000m did not significantly increase percent sickling in peripheral venous blood at rest. Keywords: Blood diseases; Blood chemistry; Exercise(Physiology); Stress(Physiology).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA180786
Entities
People
- Idelle M. Weisman
- R. J. Zeballos
Organizations
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center