Photo of Cynthia Beall
Cynthia Beall

Professor Emerita Cynthia Beall examines stress high altitudes cause on heart and lungs

The highest city in the world is also the ‘most horrific’
MSNCynthia Beall, Distinguished University Professor Emerita, explained that high altitudes significantly reduce oxygen levels, causing stress on the heart and lungs. People living in places like La Rinconada, Peru, adapt by developing larger lung volumes and higher hemoglobin concentrations, though they risk chronic mountain sickness due to excess red blood cells.