Can hypertensive patients travel to high altitude areas?

Q: I am mildly hypertensive which is kept under control by drugs. I am now going on a holiday to a high altitude (11,000 feet above sea level) area - Leh in Ladakh, for a week. What are the precautions I should take, if any?

A:Continue taking your medicine. Take less salt and take all the measures advised for high altitude. You are likely to get acclimatised after reaching there. It is especially true if you are flying from plains to Leh straight away. If possible get your BP checked there to ensure it is ok. Otherwise increase the dose of drug.