Will moving to a higher elevation make my COPD worse?

The answer depends on the severity of your COPD. The oxygen level will be lower at higher elevations, even in individuals with normal lung function, simply because of the lower See also:
A Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing an Older Relative's Move

See all 107 questions about Moving barometric pressure. Since the normal lung has plenty of reserve, the oxygen at elevation may drop to a level that would still be considered normal, so it is usually not an issue. Therefore, depending on the severity of your COPD, your oxygen could be normal in Florida but below normal at a higher elevation. Whether you would then need oxygen supplementation would require an evaluation. I would not necessarily postpone your plans to move but would encourage you to discuss this with your physician. He or she may be comfortable in telling you that your COPD is not severe enough to be of concern, or recommend a simple oxygen evaluation while in Colorado.

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I'm level 2 copd. I found high altitudes do cause it to be harder to breathe. Went to visit a brother in CO and had hard time. (That was before I had an oximeter, and portable oxygen.) Since have visited parents in mountains of NC and did need my portable oxygen when walking much there.

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