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Journalism of Courage
High-rise buildings have become increasingly common. Recently, Architectural Digest India shared a glimpse inside Indian pop singer Dhvani Bhanushali’s home on the 76th floor of a highrise, where she reported experiencing health issues.
“It took us a while to figure out why everyone got a headache on site, only to realise that the low oxygen level at that height was the reason,” Bhanushali told the magazine.
What impact can living at such altitudes have on your health? indianexpress.com consulted health experts to understand the long-term risks this poses.
“Living at high altitudes leads to decreased oxygen levels due to thinner air, which can negatively affect health, particularly those who are already sensitive. Prolonged exposure to low oxygen levels can cause chronic hypoxia, leading to issues like elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rates, and breathing difficulties, particularly at night,” said Dr Manoj Pawar, Consultant – Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune.
According to him, this could eventually impact cardiovascular health and increase the risk of conditions like sleep apnea. Pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with heart or pre-existing respiratory disorders are especially vulnerable to these effects.
“While each person’s health decides the optimal height for living, floors above the 30th can begin to show noticeable variations in oxygen and air quality,” said Dr Pawar.
“If you are above 8,000 feet, then it can indeed pose risk due to reduced oxygen, and this can cause significant health issues and symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and most commonly headache, and sometimes long-term exposure may impact cognitive function,” said Dr Sulaiman Ladhani, chest physician and consultant pulmonologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.
However, he said that the altitude of a 76-floor building in Mumbai is significantly lower than what is typically considered high altitude. He noted that such apartments are equipped with sophisticated ventilation systems to regulate air quality. Therefore, any issues individuals face in high-rise apartments are likely due to their personal health conditions and tolerance to altitude variations.
Dr Ladhani also clarified that, for most people, living below 8,000 feet (about 2,500 meters) should not pose significant health problems.
“Anything above 3,000 meters can be challenging, depending on a person’s age, acclimatisation capacity, and underlying health issues,” he said.
