Women suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can exercise for longer in their ladies fitness wear if they take a drug called QTI571 (imatinib), a study has shown.

PAH is a debilitating and life-threatening disease that affects around 130,000 to 260,000 people worldwide.

It is characterised by increased pressure in the pulmonary artery and there is currently no known cure for the condition.

However, a study conducted by pharmaceutical company Novartis and involving 59 patients found that QTI571 decreased pulmonary vascular resistance and significantly increased cardiac output.

This meant that patients experienced an increase in their exercise capacity.

Dr Ardeschir Ghofrani, of Justus-Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, said that these results were "encouraging" but said that further clinical trials need to be conducted to "provide definitive evidence of safety and efficacy".

Earlier this month, researchers from Heidelberg University Hospital revealed a study had shown that acupuncture can help those suffering from chronic heart failure to exercise for longer.

Posted by Sue Wallis ADNFCR-2569-ID-19884481-ADNFCR

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