Viagra, the better known trade name for sildenafil citrate, was invented more than 20 years ago initially to treat high blood pressure and chest pain caused by coronary artery disease. Despite its ability to widen blood vessels, early trials failed to prove its benefits for heart disease. Unexpectedly, they did discover that volunteers were experiencing erections soon after consuming the drug. At the time, concurrent researches which were looking into how the pill functioned also helped confirm the drug’s ability to widen blood vessels in the penis. Researchers eventually became interested in its potential in sexual stimulation and trialed Sildenafil as a drug to treat patients with erectile dysfunction. This wonder drug then hit the market in the nineties and instantly became a sensational hit.
At one point soon after its release however, there were several death reports associated with drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, prompting concern that there were possibly unknown lethal side-effects. With further research however, they concluded that the deaths had been a result of too much physical activity boosted by the use of those drugs rather than the drug per se. These drugs remained known as a drug that was safe in general for those with healthy hearts. However, it certainly was not suitable for everyone, especially in those who are not suppose to be doing too much physical activity in the first place.
Over the years, they also established a profile for these drugs in that those with cardiovascular disease should be cautious when using it and that there are some who cannot use use these medications under any circumstances. This is because given that the drugs work by generating nitric oxide which widens arteries, it may result in a drop in blood pressure that may prove fatal to those with already low blood pressures or for those with pre-existing heart failures.
So, have we learnt anything more about this drug in recent times?
In 2016, the a study of close to 6000 men by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) discovered that amongst those men with type 2 diabetes, those who were taking medications such as Viagra for erectile dysfunction had significantly fewer heart disease and this group experienced lower percentage of deaths over the study period. In addition, for patients with a history of heart attack or those who suffered from one during that study, the use of those medications was associated with significantly lower risks of death.
In 2017, researchers in Sweden reviewed more than 43,000 men younger than 80 years who had been hospitalised for a heart attack before for over three years. They discovered that amongst those who were prescribed oral drugs for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra, 40% of them were less likely to be hospitalised for heart failure in comparison to those who were not on any medication for erectile dysfunction. Additionally, more than a third of them were less likely to die of any cause during the follow up.
This shows that besides its powers in enhancing erectile function, Viagra may potentially possess additional benefits that can help prolong lives via the drug’s potential in fighting heart disease.
Viagra comes in several doses and most men would usually begin with low to moderate doses which will eventually be adjusted depending on the results. Do always consult your doctors before using this drug. You may find out more about Viagra answers by Doctoroncall on their website.
