Episode Details

Why does your heart rate keep climbing during a long hike even though you’re walking at the same pace—or even slowing down?

This phenomenon is called cardiovascular drift, and it is an important physiologic response to prolonged exercise. In this podcast, we explore what happens to the heart during a long hike as dehydration, heat, altitude, and fatigue begin to affect the cardiovascular system.

The heart is a pump—but the pump has to fill before it can pump. Understanding venous return will help you become a safer and more knowledgeable wilderness traveler.