Viagra and Heart Health: Here Is Everything You Need to Know
Erectile dysfunction might be an early warning symptom of heart disease or other circulatory problems in men. However, ED drugs like Viagra can improve your heart health as it affects the blood vessels throughout your body. This effect can even protect men against heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular issues.
Viagra is considered the safest medication to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction in men if appropriately used. It might be possible that you have heard that ED drugs can make your existing heart disorders worse or increase the risk of heart attacks.
You should know that erectile dysfunction medicine like Viagra has a direct effect on the cardiovascular system. Usually, Viagra causes vasodilation and works by relaxing smooth muscles present in your arteries. This working mechanism of Viagra does not cause a heart attack or other heart health issues.
However, suppose you end up taking Viagra incorrectly or in combination with certain other medicines like Nitrates. In that case, it can cause blood pressure problems and increase your risk of experiencing side effects of Viagra.
Can the use of Viagra cause heart attacks?
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to part of the heart muscle is reduced or disturbed. Some common symptoms of heart attack include shortness of breath, chest pain, discomfort in the arms, back, or shoulders, and weakness.
In most cases, a heart attack occurs due to the tightening of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol and fat. As a result, the arteries that supply blood to your heart become constricted and decrease blood flow.
However, the use of Viagra pills is not linked with heart disease or heart attacks. If you take certain medicines which should not be combined with Viagra, then it can increase your risk of heart-related health problems.
Know about the Possible interactions for Viagra.
What is the link between heart disease and erectile dysfunction?
If we talk about heart disease and sexual activity, it is necessary to know there is some link between erectile dysfunction and heart disorder.
Sometimes, erectile dysfunction serves as a warning signal for men experiencing underlying heart problems. This is because erectile dysfunction and numerous cardiovascular disorders like angina, heart attack, and strokes can be caused by similar issues, i.e., atherosclerosis.
The problem of atherosclerosis happens when your arteries narrow due to the buildup of fat and cholesterol, affecting your arteries and blood flow. When the heart and male sexual organs do not receive an adequate flow of blood, you start experiencing several health problems.
It is essential to consult a doctor once because men experiencing erectile dysfunction can also suffer from underlying heart problems.
Can you develop heart-related problems after taking the Viagra pill?
As per the studies, it is revealed that intake of Viagra pill does not increase your risk of suffering from heart disease. However, Viagra might cause problems for men with high blood pressure if they take medicines to lower blood pressure. This is because sildenafil citrate, an active ingredient of Viagra, can also lower your blood pressure.
Men who already take nitrates should not take Viagra strictly, as the combination of both medicines can lower your blood pressure severely.
Know, Why Not to Mix Viagra and Nitrates?
Can Viagra offer you any heart-related benefits?
As a man, you can have some positive effects of Viagra on your heart health. These effects are called cardioprotective. Some studies suggest that the intake of Viagra pills can decrease the risk of heart disease.
Since Viagra can lower blood pressure, it is believed that this medicine can help to treat pulmonary artery hypertension. PAH is a form of high blood pressure that affects the arteries of your lungs.
Who should avoid taking Viagra pills?
Men using nitrates should strictly not take Viagra pills. Also, Viagra is not recommended for people suffering from the following medical conditions:
- Pulmonary veno-occlusion
- Left ventricular outflow obstruction
- Sickle cell anemia
- Multiple system atrophy
Summary
Therefore, ED pills like Viagra are safe for healthy hearts, but men with certain cardiovascular or heart diseases should take special precautions. At the same time, some men with severe heart disorders should not take Viagra under any conditions to avoid unwanted side effects.
Use of Viagra can lead to a drop in your blood pressure. However, it's mild and just a little concerning, even if you are already taking high blood pressure medications. But make sure you take Viagra or any other ED pill only when a doctor considers it safe with your other medications. You should avoid using Viagra if you recently had a heart attack or stroke within the last six months and take drugs like nitrates for angina.
The use of Viagra can commonly cause flushing. Due to vasodilation, blood goes into blood vessels more than usual, affecting the heart. A drop in blood pressure can appear, causing an average of 6 points systolic and 4 points diastolic. So, some people using Viagra may experience a heart response by beating a bit more quickly and forcefully.
In a study of men who were able to exercise, using Viagra (sildenafil) did not affect their exercise capacity. The average exercise level was similar whether they took Viagra (4.5 METs) or a placebo (4.6 METs). It's important to note that these men did not take nitrates or stopped using them 72 hours before the exercise test.
ED pills that are safe to use after a heart attack are: Sildenafil(Viagra), Vardenafil(Levitra), Tadalafil(Cialis). Note that use these ED drugs only after discussing with a doctor if you have any heart problems.
