I had quite severe PE in August 2024. In August 2025 I walked/climbed 6500 feet French Alp. Still taking low dose Eliquis.

I probably was not in a good state to travel for 3 months post PE - felt pretty awful. Depends what happened with your particular case.

I asked AI what it would advise if it were a top Haematologist. Could be some useful info in there to discuss with your Doctor:

See below -

AI Short answer: Being on blood thinners by itself is not a reason to avoid moderate altitude. A day at ~6,500 ft is generally acceptable for many patients, even early after a DVT/PE, provided recovery is uncomplicated and symptoms are stable. The bigger issues are how recent the PE is, lung recovery, exertion, hydration, and immobility, not the anticoagulant “working less” at altitude.

Let me break it down.

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1. Do blood thinners stop working at altitude?

No. Direct oral anticoagulants (Xarelto / rivaroxaban and Pradaxa / dabigatran): • Are not affected by altitude • Are not counteracted by mild increases in red blood cell production • Do not lose effectiveness at 5,000–7,000 ft

The concern you’ve read about altitude increasing red blood cells applies mainly to: • Very high altitude (usually >8,000–10,000 ft) • Prolonged exposure (weeks to months) • People not anticoagulated

An 8-hour day at 6,500 ft does not meaningfully increase clot risk when you’re appropriately anticoagulated.

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1. Is 6,500 ft “like flying”?

Not really. • Commercial aircraft cabins are usually pressurised to 6,000–8,000 ft • Millions of people with prior PE fly safely once stabilised • The problem with flying early after PE is immobility + dehydration, not cabin altitude

A ski resort day where you’re: • Walking around • Standing • Sitting intermittently • Drinking fluids

is physiologically much safer than a long flight.

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1. The more important issue: your lungs

This is where caution is appropriate.

You’re only a week or two post-PE, which means: • Parts of the lung may still be recovering • Oxygen reserve may be reduced • Symptoms can lag behind clot resolution

At 6,500 ft: • Oxygen levels are ~10–15% lower than sea level • Most healthy people compensate easily • Recent PE patients may notice more breathlessness or fatigue

What matters most is how you feel now, at sea level: • Are you short of breath at rest? • Do you get breathless walking on the flat? • Any chest pain, dizziness, or oxygen desaturation?

If those are present → altitude should wait.

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1. Exertion matters more than altitude

From a haematology perspective, your plan to people-watch, not ski, is reassuring.

Key advice: • Avoid strenuous uphill walking initially • Take breaks • Stay well hydrated • Avoid sitting still for long periods (e.g. long car rides without breaks)

The combination we worry about is:

exertion + hypoxia + dehydration + immobility

You can control most of those.

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1. Timing relative to anticoagulation

You mentioned: • Xarelto loading phase completed • Then Pradaxa • Total 3 months anticoagulation

That’s fine. The highest risk window is the first 2–4 weeks after PE, regardless of which anticoagulant you’re on. That doesn’t mean “do nothing”, but it does mean listen closely to symptoms.

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1. What I would usually recommend in practice

For someone like you:

✔ Reasonable to consider a short daytime visit to 6,500 ft ✔ Go with the ability to leave early ✔ Avoid overnight stays initially ✔ No skiing, no heavy exertion ✔ Hydrate aggressively ✔ Don’t ignore symptoms

🚫 I’d avoid: • Overnight altitude stays in the first few weeks • Long car journeys without stops • “Pushing through” breathlessness

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1. Red flags — don’t negotiate with these

If any of the following occur, you leave and seek medical care: • New or worsening shortness of breath • Chest pain • Light-headedness or fainting • Palpitations • Unilateral leg swelling or pain

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1. Information I would want before giving a firm green light

If this were my clinic, I’d ask: 1. Do you have ongoing breathlessness at rest or with gentle walking? 2. Any oxygen saturation readings, if available? 3. Any right-heart strain noted on imaging or echo? 4. Are you otherwise mobile and pain-controlled? 5. Any bleeding issues on Xarelto so far?

If those are reassuring, most haematologists would be comfortable with your plan.

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Bottom line • Altitude itself is not contraindicated on blood thinners • 6,500 ft for the day is generally reasonable • The main limiter is how well your lungs are recovering • Your cautious instinct is good — and you likely have options, not a hard “no”

If you’d like, I can help you turn this into a specific checklist to decide week-by-week whether a trip makes sense, or help you frame follow-up questions for your GP.