The present invention provides certain substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine compounds, including pure enantiomeric forms and pharmaceutical formulations thereof. These compounds provide for elevation of .alpha.-MyHC protein levels and .alpha.-MyHC mRNA levels, and most frequently these same compounds provide simultaneous lowering of .beta.-MyHC protein levels and .beta.-MyHC mRNA levels. Thus, these compounds may be used alone or in conjunction with other drugs to treat heart failure.