Abstract
of heart due to its highest rate of firing. Normally it is under Vagal inhibition that results average pulse rate 75 beats per minute not 110/minute. Sympathetic nervous system stimulation removes vagal inhibition causing increased pulse rate in Amarnath Yatris. Amarnath pilgrims complete whole yatra in very cold and dry atmosphere. This cold atmosphere causes sympathetic stimulation. So our study was focused on pulse rate variation at 5 different altitudes during Amarnath yatra. Material and Methods: A total of 75 subjects of both male and female of five different age groups were selected for this comparative study. An informed consent was taken from each Amarnath Yatris before the comparative study. Pulse rate of pilgrims were measured manually with fingers and pulsation were counted for full one minute with help of wrist watch at five locations during yatra. Result: Mean pulse rate of Amarnath Yatris were recorded 121.2±10.3 at Holy Amarnath cave. Mean pulse rate before start of yatra was 87.6±11.9 per minute. This value was taken as control value and it was recorded at altitude less than 500 feet from sea level. Conclusion: Comparative study of pulse rate of Amarnath Yatris at five different altitude resulted in significant increase.
Keywords
Pulse rate, Amarnath Yatris, Holy cave, high altitude
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