Relationship Between Arterial Oxygen Saturation and Hematocrit, and Effect of Slow Deep Breathing on Oxygen Saturation in Himalayan High Altitude Populations

Abstract

Background The oxygen saturation of haemoglobin is reduced in high altitude-living organisms. Increase in the hematocrit is responsible for rise in the hemoglobin concentration so that the oxygen carrying capacity in the hypobaric hypoxic subject is elevated. Objectives To compare two different high altitude populations, in order to study the relationship between arterial oxygen saturation and hematocrit. Methods lIn the cross-sectional study of two populations residing at altitude of 2800 m and 3760 m are compared for the difference in hematocrit. The oxygen carrying capacity of arterial haemoglobin (SaO2) is determined by pulse oximetry. The sample is drawn from the natives of two small villages, Thini at Jomsom (2800 m) and Jharkot (3760 m) in Mustang district of Nepal. The natives at 2800 m are termed as lower high altitude population and local residents at 3760 m are said to be higher altitude population in this study. The sample blood was drawn by venipuncture and packed cell volume was determined by Wintrobe’s method. Results The hematocrit obtained from 3760 m altitude population and the lower high altitude population at altitude of 2800 m differ significantly with the p value < 0.0001and the SaO2 in both the population fails to show any difference with p value > 0.05. Deep breathing exercise in these populations however increased SaO2 significantly. Conclusion The higher altitude natives have greater arterial oxygen saturation than lower altitude population which is due to rise in red cell concentration. The slow deep breathing raises oxygen saturation irrespective of altitude. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | VOL.10 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 39 | JUL- SEP 2012 | Page 30-34 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i3.8014

High-altitude Hypoxia Influences the Activities of the Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme CYP3A1 and the Pharmacokinetics of Four Cardiovascular System Drugs

“…The results of the present study showed an increase in the red blood cell count of rats under high-altitude hypoxic conditions; therefore, it was speculated that the increased red blood cell count could cause hyperuricemia. Moreover, a high red blood cell count could cause an increase in blood viscosity [ 46 ], which can suppress blood flow and inhibit circulation, resulting in myocardial damage [ 47 , 48 ]. Platelets are released by mature megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, and changes in platelets are mainly due to an imbalance in their production and destruction.…”

Comportamiento de índices fisiológicos en un grupo de estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Bogotá, expuestos de 2600 a 3800 msnm en el páramo de Sumapaz durante un día. Estudio observacional

“…Ahora bien, los valores encontrados en la SpO 2 pueden estar relacionados con la respuesta hiperventilatoria mencionada inicialmente, Aunque con respecto a la saturación arterial de oxígeno y su relación con el hematocrito, estudios como el de Nepal et al, encontraron que el aumento en la concentración de glóbulos rojos produce mayor saturación en individuos residentes en altura, observando además que una respiración lenta y profunda mejora la saturación tanto en altura como a nivel del mar 32 , Teniendo en cuenta que en este estudio la exposición a la altura es aguda, el papel fundamental para la adaptación a la hipoxia se otorga a las bombas hemodinámicas y neumodinámicas las cuales permiten el transporte de oxígeno a los diferentes tejidos, mientras que en exposiciones crónicas el trabajo de estas bombas se reduce gracias al aumento de Hb, CaO2, obteniendo una función celular del 100% efectiva en individuos bien adaptados a la altura 33 .…”

Penerapan Isometric Handgrip Exercisedan Slow Deep Breathing Exercise Untuk Menurunkan Tekanan Darah

“…Selain itu, latihan ini juga dapat mencegah terjadinya atrofi pada otot, meningkatkan volume otot, stabilitas sendi dan mengurangi edema. Sedangkan pernapasan yang dilakukan secara dalam danperlahan pada saat latihan slow deep breathing akan memperbaiki saturasi oksigen didalam tubuh (Nepal et al, 2013). Peningkatan jumlah oksigen didalam tubuh akan menstimulasi munculnya iksidasi nitrin, oksidasi nitrin akan masuk kedalam otak dan paru-paru yang akan membuat tubuh menjadi lebih tenang, oksidasi nitrin juga akan mempengaruhi pembuluh darah menjadi lebih elastis sehingga menyebabkan terjadinya vasodilatasi pada pembuluh darah sehingga tekanan darah menjadi turun (Tarwoto., 2011 [18]).…”