Figure 5.

We postulate that AMS on exposure to high-altitude hypoxia can sometimes evolve to either High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and/or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). After recovery or if there is no altitude illness, the evolution towards an increase of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cells and the formation of more capillaries makes the organism of high-altitude residents resistant to several diseases and can even lead to extended longevity. VEGF = Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, HIF = Hypoxia Inducing Factor, NO = Nitric Oxide, EPO = Erythropoietin, RBC = Red Blood Cells.