🚀 go-pugleaf

Hi

Couldn't resist sharing this. From OUTDOORSmagic
<http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/2826/v/1/sp/606603318365602495688>.

Regards
Andrew


Packing your bags for a climbing trip usually involves the standard
kit and there are some things we know we just can't do without... 

Rucksac - check.
Water bottle - check.
Rope - check.
Axes - check.
Viagra - Viagra?! 

Hmmm. According to the BBC Viagra
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3534558.stm> may soon be a standard
inclusion in the average climber's pack. And not for the reasons that
may first come to mind... In a 'stimulating' study by the University
in Geisen, Germany, researchers found that Viagra prevents the lack of
oxygen that causes the heart and lung condition, pulmonary
hypertension. 

Pulmonary hyperwotsit? Pulmonary hypertension is a nasty condition
that causes the blood vessels in the lungs to constrict and
subsequently makes the heart work harder. Over 100,000 people in
Europe and the US are affected by it and it can lead to heart disease
and even death. 

Fourteen male mountaineers 'rose' to the challenge (sorry) and tested
the theory that Viagra (sildenafil) reduces high blood pressure and
increases the transport of oxygen throughout the body when climbing.
In what, for some must have been a particularly enjoyable experience
(the other half were given dummy pills). The results showed that
Viagra is indeed, the first drug to increase the capacity to exercise
at sea level, and at high altitude. 

It is said that a patient with the pulmonary hypertension condition
found that Viagra gave them the ability to breathe freely and no
longer experience an oppressive feeling on their chest. Hmm, perhaps
their attention was just diverted to their, erm, nether regions. 

Either way, if the drug can provide comfort to pulminary hypertension
sufferers and increase the safety of climbers, it sounds good to us.
Now, we wonder where we can sign on to participate in that
oh-so-thrilling study... 

Thanks to Iain Milligan for bringing this study to our attention.