Effects of operationally effective doses of dextroamphetamine on heart rates and blood pressures of army aviators

Abstract

The cardiovascular effects of 30 mg of dextroamphetamine, given in divided 10-mg doses at midnight, 4 a.m., and 8 a.m. during a sustained- operations scenario, were explored. Blood pressures and heart rates of male and female UH-60 pilots were measured during two periods of continuous wakefulness in which subjects received dextroamphetamine and placebo. Persistent elevations in heart rates were observed from 2 hours after the second 10-mg dose of dextroamphetamine until the end of the day. Systolic blood pressures of males were elevated from 1 hour after the first 10-mg dose until 5 hours after the third 10-mg dose. Systolic blood pressures of females increased 1 hour after the third 10-mg dose of dextroamphetamine and remained high until 6 hours after the third 10-mg dose. Diastolic blood pressures in both genders showed a persistent elevation from 2 hours past the second 10- mg dose until 6 hours after the third 10-mg dose. These changes did not result in any clinically detectable adverse sequelae.