Viagra helps climbers rise to the challenge

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

Hmmm. According to the BBC Viagra 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.