A Drug That Helps High Altitude Workers

By Author: Steven Johnson
Total Articles: 494
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Recently a study conducted on high altitude athletes and soldiers who are forced to serve in mountain areas (such as Afghanistan) has shown incredible results. As it turns out, a drug that was initially developed for overcoming erectile dysfunction can serve as an enhancer for situations when endurance is needed at higher altitude. And this drug is the one you have definitely heard about - Viagra.

The research conducted in the Stanford University and the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System involved study participants who were asked to ride bicycle simulators with special breathing masks that mimicked the low-oxygen air found at higher altitudes. The test group who were given a standard dose of Viagra has shown an average improvement in endurance and overall physical activity of 39%. It's evident that in crucial situations when physical abilities are required in complicated conditions like those of high altitudes having such a stimulant is very beneficial. After the report was published a group of military researchers has stated that they will initiate their own studies on the performance of soldiers in high ...
... altitude situations with the use of Viagra stimulation.

A large part of those who are using Viagra on a regular basis these days know that the drug was initially developed and tested as a treatment for hypertension and angina. But after the initial clinical studies have shown amazing results in men who were suffering from erectile dysfunction, Pfizer has redirected the drug and received an approval from the FDA for it being used as a treatment for ED. The anti-hypertension didn't go away since the drug is based in the same active element. And Pfizer has recently introduced a new drug to the market, labeled Revatio, which uses the same active element and is marketed for the treatment of hypertension.

Hypertension is one of the main effects of physical activity in low-oxygen environments such as high altitudes. Because of the low oxygen content in the air, the blood vessels in the lung shrink forcing the heart to work harder in order to maintain proper blood circulation. That's why having an effective drug for hypertension in high altitude situations can significantly improve the overall condition and physical abilities of people working in such an environment.

The study in question involved professional cyclists who were put in a situation of low oxygen air. It simulated an altitude of 12,700 feet, and the test subjects had to ride a 6-kilometer track against time. The results were impressive for those who had a good response to Viagra in the first place. This group of athletes had an average time of nearly 11 minutes against 15 minutes when taking placebo. However, a certain group of athletes didn't have any response to Viagra and their results were the same in case of placebo and Viagra use. The actual dosage didn't have any significance, since both 50 mg and 100 mg dosage provided the same effects in physical performance.

So if you need something to boost your physical abilities in the environment of high altitudes, then taking a pack of diamond-shaped pills might be a good idea even if you don't have any problems with erection in normal circumstances.