ColeyG
WKR
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2017
- Messages
- 369
No.
The pressure difference between sea level and 5k in most parts of the country is less than 2psi/100mmhg.
That pressure change is insignificant and not enough to have any impact on our bodies perceived availability of O2 in the short or long term. The average person may notice breathing a little bit harder while exerting themselves and a slightly elevated heart rate as compared to their baseline for a few days at the new altitude, but most wouldn't notice much of a change.
Altitude starts to affect physiology more significantly above 8k and starts to get more serious above above 14k. I actually feel like my chronically occluded sinuses do better at lower pressure (higher altitude) as compared to higher pressure (lower altitude).
Other environmental factors in whatever your new locale is will be much more significant than the slight pressure change.
As for living at altitude negatively impacting long-term health and lifespan, I am not aware of any credible studies that have shown that to be the case. Counter to that notion would be the Sherpa people, most of whom are born above 16k, and who collectively have a higher life expectancy that the average American.
