Cardiovascular Risk Is Increased in Miner's Chronic Intermittent Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure From 0 to 2,500 m?

Over the past 40 years, mining activities in Chile have relocated miners who normally live at sea level to work at high altitudes. This results in a form of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) characterized by alternating periods of work at high altitude and rest periods at sea level. Previous studies performed in our laboratory showed that aerobic capacity is reduced at 3,800 m, even when oxygen content is maintained.