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Heart drug 'boosts' OAP fitness Heart drug 'boosts' OAP fitness
(about 3 hours later)
A drug regularly prescribed for heart conditions could help pensioners to exercise more, according to scientists from Dundee University.A drug regularly prescribed for heart conditions could help pensioners to exercise more, according to scientists from Dundee University.
Researchers discovered older people became more active when they were given ACE inhibitors, which are usually given to patients with heart conditions. Researchers discovered older people became more active when they were given an ACE inhibitor called perindopril.
The test subjects, who had an average age of 79, were able to walk further than those who were given placebos.The test subjects, who had an average age of 79, were able to walk further than those who were given placebos.
Academics hope the study could be used to improve quality of life. Academics hope the study could be used to improve the quality of life for Britain's ageing population.
Researchers said the majority of the older people did not take regular exercise, even though it increases strength and slows mental decline.Researchers said the majority of the older people did not take regular exercise, even though it increases strength and slows mental decline.
'Important finding''Important finding'
They performed a test involving 130 pensioners from the Dundee area, who had difficulties performing day-to-day activities.They performed a test involving 130 pensioners from the Dundee area, who had difficulties performing day-to-day activities.
Some were given a placebo and others the ACE inhibitor perindopril. Some were given a placebo and others perindopril, which is usually prescribed for heart conditions.
We found that the people who had been given the drug could walk on average 30m further in six minutes than those who had been given the placebo Professor Marion McMurdoWe found that the people who had been given the drug could walk on average 30m further in six minutes than those who had been given the placebo Professor Marion McMurdo
After 20 weeks, the research team discovered those who had been taking the active drugs were able to take more exercise and had a better quality of life than the placebo group.After 20 weeks, the research team discovered those who had been taking the active drugs were able to take more exercise and had a better quality of life than the placebo group.
The head of the university's ageing and health unit called it "a tremendously important finding".The head of the university's ageing and health unit called it "a tremendously important finding".
Professor Marion McMurdo said: "It will be of interest to all clinicians involved in the care of older people, and provides further encouragement about the possibility of slowing decline and disability in later life. Professor Marion McMurdo said: "We have an ageing population and so it is vital to older people and the NHS that they stay as active as possible.
"We found that the people who had been given the drug could walk on average 30m further in six minutes than those who had been given the placebo."We found that the people who had been given the drug could walk on average 30m further in six minutes than those who had been given the placebo.
"This is a level of improvement in exercise capacity that is equivalent to that reported after six months of exercise training, and may make an important difference for a growing sector of the population in which people might find it difficult to sustain that level of exercise.""This is a level of improvement in exercise capacity that is equivalent to that reported after six months of exercise training, and may make an important difference for a growing sector of the population in which people might find it difficult to sustain that level of exercise."
Prof McMurdo added that more research was needed to discover precisely why the drug worked.
She has been trying to establish if the drug has a beneficial effect on the heart, leg muscles or blood vessels.
The study follows on from previous research by her team, which found that heart failure patients were able to walk further after being prescribed ACE inhibitors.