What should you know about altitude and shortness of breath?

Stop ascending and reduce exertion. If breathing does not settle promptly with rest, or is accompanied by chest pain, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting or a new cough, descend with help and seek emergency care.

At higher elevation, each breath delivers less oxygen. The body compensates by breathing faster and increasing heart activity, which can make ordinary exertion feel harder until acclimatisation occurs. Rapid ascent gives the body less time to adjust.

The pattern helps separate expected exertional breathlessness from danger. Feeling winded on a climb and recovering during rest is different from struggling to breathe while sitting or lying down. Asthma, anaemia, heart rhythm problems and lung disease can also limit breathing, and altitude may reveal or worsen symptoms from these conditions.

Rest upright, keep warm and avoid further ascent. Stay with another person, because judgement and coordination can deteriorate. Use your prescribed reliever inhaler if you have asthma and your personal plan directs you to do so; do not borrow someone else's medicine.

Descent is the key practical response when breathing worsens or other altitude symptoms develop. Supplemental oxygen may be used by trained people where available, but it should not delay descent or medical assessment. Plan later trips with a slower ascent and easy activity after arrival.

Treat breathlessness at rest, inability to speak comfortably, blue or grey colouring, confusion, collapse, severe weakness, coughing frothy or blood-stained fluid, or a wet-sounding cough as an emergency. Arrange assisted descent and contact local emergency services.

Chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or sudden swelling of the lips or tongue also requires emergency care. These features can reflect a heart problem or anaphylaxis rather than acclimatisation.

Ask whether your heart, lung or blood condition is stable enough for the planned elevation and exertion, and whether your medicines or action plan need adjustment. Share previous altitude reactions, your route, sleeping elevations and access to descent or medical support.