IMPACT OF LONG-TERM VERAPAMIL THERAPY ON THE COURSE OF EXERCISE-INDUCED ANGINA, SERUM-LIPIDS AND MAJOR PARAMETERS OF CARBOHYDRATE-METABOLISM

The therapeutical efficiency of verapamil given for 3 months was studi ed in 36 patients with stable exercise-induced angina by multistepped gradually increasing bicycle ergometry exercise test. The effects of t he agent on serum lipid levels were evaluated in 30 cases. The therape utical effect was achieved in 24 patients; verapamil caused a pronounc ed increase in physical working capacity just during the acute drug te st in all cases and showing growing effects within a month of treatmen t. No increase in therapeutical effects was observed in 12 cases in wh om a rise in exercise time was insignificant during the acute drug tes t. Verapamil produced no noticeable effect on fasting serum glucose an d insulin levels after glucose tolerance test in 19 healthy individual s and 11 patients with lower carbohydrate tolerance. Thirteen patients with primary hypercholesterolemia had decreased levels of total chole sterol due to low density lipoprotein cholesterol.