Effects of carvedilol during exercise

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology Vol. 19 Suppl 1; p. S108
• Main Authors: Loefsjoegaard-Nilsson, E, Atmer, B, Gunolf, M, Krug-Gourley, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 1992
• Subjects: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - pharmacology; Adult; Antihypertensive Agents - pharmacology; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Carbazoles - pharmacology; Carbazoles - therapeutic use; Carvedilol; Electrocardiography; Exercise; Heart Rate - drug effects; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Exertion - physiology; Propanolamines - pharmacology; Propanolamines - therapeutic use; Pulmonary Gas Exchange; Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0160-2446
• DOI: 10.1097/00005344-199219001-00021

The effect of carvedilol on cardiovascular and physical performance parameters at rest and during exercise was evaluated in an open, uncontrolled study. Assessments were made at rest, at one-half anaerobic threshold (1/2AT), at AT, and at maximal work load (WLmax) before and after 3 weeks of treatment with 12.5 mg carvedilol once daily for 1 week, followed by 25 mg carvedilol once daily for 2 weeks. Ten well-conditioned healthy male volunteers maintained their regular training program during the study, and all completed the study. End-of-study measures of physical performance (time to WLmax, WLmax, and VO2/kg) and behavioral measures (Borg scale) of perceived exertion were unchanged from prestudy values. End-of-study diastolic BP (DBP) at rest and at WLmax was unchanged compared with prestudy values (mean +/- SD; 81.0 +/- 7.38 and 84.4 +/- 4.95 mm Hg, respectively, compared with 82.0 +/- 8.88 and 85.0 +/- 7.07 mm Hg, respectively). Mean +/- SD change from prestudy to end-of-study baseline resting systolic BP (SBP) was a reduction of 11.5 +/- 8.83 mm Hg, and mean +/- SD change from prestudy to end-of-study SBP at WLmax was a reduction of 20.0 +/- 12.25 mm Hg. Mean +/- SD change from prestudy to end-of-study resting heart rate (HR) a reduction of 7.8 +/- 18.45 beats/min, and mean +/- SD change from prestudy to end-of-study HR at WLmax was a reduction of 19.7 +/- 9.24 beats/min. The effect of carvedilol thus represents a combination of reduction in resting systolic BP and HR and attenuation of the exercise-induced changes in these parameters.