The effects of captopril on training in patients with ischemic heart disease

We studied a group of 30 patients to determine the effect of captopril on the exercise training response after a period of training in patients with ischemic heart disease but without cardiac failure. The study was a double-blind placebo-controlled comparison of captopril and placebo. The patients studied were 28 men and 2 women, mean age 53.6±6.9 years. All were 8 to 12 weeks post-myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass surgery. These patients underwent an organized exercise training program consisting of exercise training sessions 3 times weekly for a period of 8 weeks. On commencement and completion of the program patients were assessed for exercise tolerance using submaximal exercise stress testing. Patients were assessed in the untreated state. Both groups showed a statistically significant training effect with increased exercise duration, decreased heart rate for equal workload, increased energy expenditure, and reduced functional aerobic impairment. There was no statistically significant change in systolic blood pressure, but the captopril group alone showed a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001). The change in heart rate at rest over the 8-week period was not significant in both groups. In summary, this study shows that treatment with captopril does not affect the exercise training response in patients with ischemic heart disease undergoing an organized exercise training program.