Viagra Helps Severe Altitude Sickness
Better Results Than a Placebo in High-Altitude Test
A new use for Viagra may be in the works. The erectile dysfunction drug may help protect against lung problems
resulting from high altitudes, say French researchers.
High altitude can sometimes cause illness, especially in people with existing heart and lung problems. The thinner
air or lack of oxygen at higher altitudes can cause blood vessels to constrict. When this occurs within the lungs, the
constriction of blood vessels can put more force on the heart, leading to life-threatening heart failure. The higher
altitude can cause blood vessels in the lung to leak fluid and build up in the lung, interfering with oxygen exchange.
Viagra works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow freely through vessels. The researchers used this
drug to block the effects of high altitude on blood vessels on the lung. They looked at whether the use of Viagra
would help the lungs continue to get oxygen while ascending to higher altitudes.
In a recent experiment, Viagra was better than a placebo at protecting men''s lungs. The results appear in the
February issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) occurs when high altitude and low air pressure causes fluid to leak from blood
vessels and builds up in the lungs. HAPE has a mortality rate of 44% if untreated, say the researchers. It''s
triggered by intense physical exertion at high altitudes that people aren''t accustomed to.
After one or two days, the Viagra group''s blood pressure started to normalize. By the sixth day, it was 6% lower
than before the experiment. But for the placebo group, it remained high, leveling off about 21% higher than normal.
As expected, high altitude made breathing rougher for all of the men. But the Viagra group had less of a setback at
rest and during exercise than the placebo group. Side effects were minor, such as muscle pain, say the researchers.
More studies should be done to see if Viagra can replace the current treatment (calcium-channel blockers or steroids)
to treat HAPE, say Richalet and colleagues.
A new use for Viagra may be in the works. The erectile dysfunction drug may help protect against lung problems
resulting from high altitudes, say French researchers.
High altitude can sometimes cause illness, especially in people with existing heart and lung problems. The thinner
air or lack of oxygen at higher altitudes can cause blood vessels to constrict. When this occurs within the lungs, the
constriction of blood vessels can put more force on the heart, leading to life-threatening heart failure. The higher
altitude can cause blood vessels in the lung to leak fluid and build up in the lung, interfering with oxygen exchange.
Viagra works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow freely through vessels. The researchers used this
drug to block the effects of high altitude on blood vessels on the lung. They looked at whether the use of Viagra
would help the lungs continue to get oxygen while ascending to higher altitudes.
In a recent experiment, Viagra was better than a placebo at protecting men''s lungs. The results appear in the
February issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) occurs when high altitude and low air pressure causes fluid to leak from blood
vessels and builds up in the lungs. HAPE has a mortality rate of 44% if untreated, say the researchers. It''s
triggered by intense physical exertion at high altitudes that people aren''t accustomed to.
After one or two days, the Viagra group''s blood pressure started to normalize. By the sixth day, it was 6% lower
than before the experiment. But for the placebo group, it remained high, leveling off about 21% higher than normal.
As expected, high altitude made breathing rougher for all of the men. But the Viagra group had less of a setback at
rest and during exercise than the placebo group. Side effects were minor, such as muscle pain, say the researchers.
More studies should be done to see if Viagra can replace the current treatment (calcium-channel blockers or steroids)
to treat HAPE, say Richalet and colleagues.
