[Modification of physical fitness of patients with coronary heart disease with nifedipine during a stay at altitude].

With this study including 9 patients with angiographically proven coronary heart disease it could be shown that a monotherapy with nifedipine in the galenic preparation as Adalat SL (Bayer AG, Leverkusen, FRG) is efficient in reducing myocardiac ischemia and concomitantly raising working capacity during bicycle ergometry as well after first time application of this drug as after continuous therapy with 1 tablet twice daily during 4 weeks. This findings are true both at normal environmental conditions (1000 ft above sea level) and at conditions of altitude induced hypoxia (9000 ft above sea level), simulated in a hypobaric chamber. There was no development of drug tolerance during continuous therapy with 1 tablet of Adalat SL twice a day. Out of these findings the conclusion can be drawn that in patients with coronary heart disease receiving protective therapy with Adalat SL there is no remarkably higher risk of episodes of angina pectoris or even myocardiac infarction at altitudes up to 9000 ft above sea level than is to be expected during daily life.