CPAP Travel to High Altitude

by Vicki
(Canada)

I will be traveling to Macchu Picchu in Peru. the elevation in the city of Cuzco where we will be staying for a few days is about 11,000 feet above sea level. How will this affect the operation of my CPAP?

Answer



The CPAP machine is affected by a change in altitude, so it will operate differently at higher altitudes such as Macchu Picchu. As you go up in the mountains, the air is thinner and is less air pressure than on the sea level.

The higher the altitude the less pull gravity exerts on the air molecules, therefore the air pressure decreases.

Some people think that if you have less air pressure to press on the airway, the pressure required to keep the airway open should also decrease.

But here is the catch: the CPAP delivered pressure varies directly with the change in air pressure at various altitudes. The higher you go on the mountain, the bigger the pressure drop in CPAP delivered pressure.

In other words, with less air pressure around you, the CPAP machine gives less pressure to open the airway .

Therefore, you will need to increase the CPAP pressure according to those 11,000 feet above sea level. Here is the study which proves that CPAP mask pressures varies systematically with changing altitude.

Fortunately, the new CPAP machines can automatically compensate for altitude changes. Still, I would recommend talking with your CPAP provider or sleep doctor regarding the automatic pressure adjustment for your altitude.

If your CPAP doesn't have an automatic function, you may need to adjust it manually, but do this with your doctor. There are some calculations to be made for manual adjustment.

However, given the large changes in altitude and the small changes in pressure, I would think that making changes on one's own would be a risky proposition.

Another issue that can happen to some CPAP machines at higher altitudes is a false leak detection, obviously due to low ambient pressure at this high altitude. The pressure sensor is causing the CPAP to shut itself off every few seconds because of this alarm. Hopefully, if you have a good machine, it won't happen to you.

Bottom line...I would suggest you talk to your sleep specialist about your trip on high altitudes.

Even when the CPAP is making the automatic adjustment for altitude, you can still have problems. It all has to do with the thinner air which does not have as many oxygen molecules.

The brain does not get the signal to breath and you may get central apnea events...even with the use of CPAP. One remedy is to adjust your pressure..not to be done without a doctor's knowledge. Another remedy is to use supplemental oxygen.


I hope it helps. Don't be afraid to comment back.

Some more interesting pages for you to check out:

Remy
www.sleep-apnea-guide.com

Please remember...what is posted on these forums are our experiences, thoughts and opinions...it is not always 100% accurate.

Comments for CPAP Travel to High Altitude

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Jul 06, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Reason for change in air pressure.
by: Bill G

The reason for the reduction in air pressure as altitude increase is NOT because of a reduction in gravity. It is because air, like water, has weight and the higher you go the less air there is above you. The atmosphere around the earth is only a few miles thick and the higher one is the less the total wight of the column of air above you. It is the same reason for the increase in pressure as you go below the surface of the water in a lake or the ocean.
Aug 31, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sleep Apnea Machineshave a max altitude limit
by: Anonymous

Sleep Apnea Machines say right in their manual that they can not adjust properly to altitudes above 8500 feet. Welcome to the joys of camping, or visiting higher altitude locations. We live in Denver Colorado.

We have tried staying in the mountains... And find we have to stay at lower altitudes... And day trip to the higher locations. Manufactures of sleep apnea machines do not take higher altitudes into consideration. They're answere is "go sea level"
Dec 12, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		CPAP Adjustment for High Altitude
by: Anonymous2

When the CPAP machine claims its operating level is 8500 ft. Does this mean it adjusts your cpap pressure automatically below that number OR that the machine will operate when the elevation is up to 8500 ft. Is there a manual adjustment to elevations within the 8500 ft range?
I travel back and forth between Florida and Colorado.
May 12, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Mile high sleeping
by:

Altitude makes a HUGE difference on OSA. I live in Denver, but often travel to sea level. In Denver I live at 6000ft of elevation and have to run my CPAP at 14 in of H2O. At sea level I can run the CPAP at 10 in of H2O to achieve the same results. The comfort level difference is profound! i need a full face mask in Denver but nasal pillows are adequate at sea level due to the lower pressure. I am astonished that no one talks about this!
Dec 07, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		High Altitude
by: Roy Ijams

I sleep walked out of semi near Cheyenne WY. Had my sleep study done in Springfield MO 2/9/12. I called and complained. Had a seizure trying to get complaint. Now on total disability. I do not use cpap now. I can't get anyone to address my case.

I've found where cpap can cause blindness, death, sleep walking, and seizures. Doing an autopsy if you do not know what to look for you will not find damage to alveoli in lungs.

The primary function of the respiratory system is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Inhaled oxygen enters the lungs and reaches the alveoli. The layers of cells lining the alveoli and the surrounding capillaries are each only one cell thick and are in very close contact with each other.

This barrier between air and blood averages about 1 micron (1/10,000 of a centimeter) in thickness. Oxygen passes quickly through this air-blood barrier into the blood in the capillaries.
Jul 02, 2018
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starstarstarstar 		cpap travel to high altitude
by: bmfgto

The link to the article that is supposedly about the relationship of cpap and high altitude sent me to an unrelated article in the journal CHEST. The table of contents in that issue of the journal seemed to list no article that covered cpap and high altitude. (?)
Jul 02, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Air Force in fact
by: Roy Ijams

Note one influential sleep apnea expert, Dr. Barbara Philips. Dr. Philips used to chair the Medical Review Board. The board appointed a medical expert panel to review literature and studies and make recommendations to the board who would then decide if recommendations should be made to FMCSA.

Leading this panel was Dr. Allan Pack. The board voted to recommend mandatory sleep apnea testing for all CMV drivers with a BMI of 30 or greater. They also decided that the only treatment should be CPAP machines. This, even though the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in a report 2006, rated oral appliances as a first choice for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

In the Air Force in fact, airmen are using oral appliances because they are portable, silent and do not need electricity. They are also much cheaper and require little getting use to. Unfortunately the "Physicians Payments Sunshine Act" has not yet passed and neither Dr. Pack nor Dr. Philips has yet to reveal that they have direct financial and professional ties to CPAP manufacturers.

Dr. Philips has direct ties to the National Sleep Foundation, which is funded by several manufacturers of sleep drugs and CPAP machines, and she is, or was, on the Board of Directors for the CPAP machine manufacturer Resmed. Dr. Pack’s new position at the University of Pennsylvania is funded by Philips Respironics, which manufactures CPAP machines.

From Roy Ijams Just one of many things I've foud
Sep 07, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstar 		High Altitude Camping with CPAP NEW
by: Brian

I note a number of Denver residents commenting about CPAP here. I use a Resmed Airsense10 (that's an APAP machine) with Climate Line heated tube, and I camp a good deal between 8,500 and 10,500 feet all over Colorado and the West. I don't think there would be a problem with these newer machines if you're staying in a hotel or residence.

But what if you're camping outdoors?

One of the big challenges is power when using CPAP in a camper with no "shore power" or electrical connection. A sturdy sealed Deep Cycle 12v battery can go inside the trailer with you. But you have to give up your humidifier (I have the inexpensive Resmed-issued side panel that completely replaces the humidifier), as it requires too much power, and lower the tube temperature or eliminate the heating feature altogether--it will increase your battery usage by about 50%.

I don't adjust the starting pressure, 6.0, and the CPAP machine works well, but harder. But even when I lower the tube temperature to around 62°F the Resmed unit shuts down if the camper temperature goes below 35°, which is frequent overnight in Colorado. I believe that is a circuit protection feature, as the AirSense10 was using over 6.2 Amps of energy when it occurred. When I have turned the tube heat feature off, I haven't had a problem with shutdown.

Colder temperatures also can create water condensation in the unheated tube and a "snorkel effect," or bubbling sound. You can simply drain the tube and go back to sleep.

Bottom line: don't be apprehensive about getting your sleep therapy even at high altitudes camped away from it all and enjoy being well-rested during your time in the mountains!

Mar 17, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Help with alitiude
by: Anonymous

I’m really having a problem. I have two homes. One at sea level and one at 9000’ altitude. I got my b-pap machine at 9000’. My pressure is set at 12/6. When I leave the high altitude and sleep where it’s sea level or even 500’ altitude my machine detects a leak. This has happened twice when traveling back and forth. So it shows a leak when I’m not in high elevation. I have no leak detection as soon as I hit low elevation of around 3000 and higher. Nobody knows what’s going on including my doctors. I wish I could call someone. Please send me a phone number.
Mar 20, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		high altitude NEW
by: Roy Ijams

https://www.normalbreathing.com/ Site goes into years of how breathing effects your body. Also cpap can make you CPAP dependent. It take control of brain stem away from your breathing. After you get cancer you maybe able to file a law suit. Look at all side effects. Seizure blindless, and hearing loss are some of the. About forgot death. . Fraud in testing. Keep track of how you feel. Some effects in the lungs can only be foung doing a autopsy. After sleep walking with device on and seizures. I'm on total disabilty and a saftey hazard.

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