Low altitude simulation without hypoxia improves left ventricular function after myocardial infarction by reducing ventricular afterload

Humans have a lower risk of death from myocardial infarction (MI) living at low elevations (<2500 m), which are not high enough to induce hypoxia. Both chronic hypoxia pre-MI, achieved by altitude simulation >5000 m, and intermittent hypobaric hypoxia post-MI can reduce MI size in rodents, and it is believed that hypoxia is the key stimulus. To explore mechanisms beyond hypoxia we studied whether altitude simulation <2500 m would also be...