Effect of low altitude (Dead Sea location) on exercise performance and wall motion in patients with coronary artery disease.

To evaluate the effects of low altitude on exercise performance and myocardial ischemia, 12 patients with coronary artery disease and 6 normal controls underwent ergometric and exercise echocardiography in Haifa, 130 m above sea level, and at the Dead Sea, 402 m below sea level. At the Dead Sea, exercise duration increased by 15% (p <0.05) in the patient and control groups and wall motion score index was improved in patients at rest and after exercise, indicating that descent to the Dead Sea in patients with coronary disease is safe, improves exercise performance, and decreases ischemia.