Abstract
Objective: To describe the adaptive effects on cardiovascular control in hypoxic environments in older people, as well as to understand the aspects related to this exposure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Bibliographic review: At high altitudes, the installation of hypobaric hypoxia is common, a condition in which there is a significant reduction in arterial oxygen saturation, a condition that induces cardiovascular chemoreceptors to adjust pulmonary ventilation in order to reestablish normal levels of oxygen supply. However, in individuals with COPD exposed to environments of low oxygenation, it is observed that there is a worsening of the condition, as there is an overload on the peripheral systems, changing the hemodynamic variables and functional structures of the endothelium. Final considerations: Data from the analyzed studies showed that hypobaric environments do not change the adaptive capacity of cardiovascular regulation in the elderly, however, in individuals affected by COPD, a worsening in the general condition of the condition is observed, while there is a loss in endothelial function.