OK, I realize we "over the hill" folks can get a bit morbid - witness the preceeding post on "Where I Want to Die".

It got me to thinking in Ski Patroller mode again. When I go on a backpacking trip, a high altitude ski or hike (9,000 ft. +) I take steps to help my "aging jock" body.

You may not agree with all or any of this but it helps me.

1. Exercise regularly i.e. 5 to 7 days a week, at least one hour. Wear out, don't rust out.

2. Take Ginko Biloba 3 days before going to altitude & during altitude exposure. The U.S. Olympic Training Committee tested this and found it reduces and often eliminates altitude-related headaches and nausea. Anything that can stave off altitude sickness is good.

3. I take 81 mg. of aspirin every day since I was 55.

4. At altitude or on strenuous terrain I take 4 "NO2" tablets morning and 4 in the afternoon, always at lest 1/2 hour before or after eating. These are found at GNC stores and are nothing more than 8 hour time-release L-Arginine tabs. Somewhat like Cialis, but much milder, they help the body create more nitric oxide (not nitROUS oxide) which is a vaso-dialator, opening up blood vessels, arterioles and capillaries to transport more blood and, thus, more O2. This stuff, "NO2", works well... but it is kind of 'spensive. If you need more O2 this makes a difference. The number (dosage) of "NO2" tabs depends upon your weight. Read the directions.

The daily aspirin prophylaxis I consider to be the most important factor listed.
Of course some of you may be on a much stronger blood thinner like PLAVIX. In that case don't take aspirin with it.

What I am saying is anything that helps your body without bad side effects is likely helping avoid a cardiac infarc, stroke and maybe reducing the severity of HAPE or HACE at high altitudes.

Eric
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."