A new study finds that Viagra can help men live longer, while reducing their chances of a serious heart attack.
The researchers tested the drug, often referred to as the ‘blue pill’, on men with coronary artery disease – a condition that leads to blockage or disruption of the heart’s blood supply due to a buildup of fatty material in the coronary arteries.
They found that the men who took Viagra not only lived longer, but were also less likely to have a new heart attack.
While the reason for the association remains unclear, the researchers hope the findings will encourage men with coronary artery disease to discuss Viagra with their doctor.
Impotence is often an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease in healthy men and can be treated with two types of medication.
Read more: A study warns men of a “common practice” that may cause them to suffer from low sex drive!
First, men can be given an injection of alprostadil, which dilates blood vessels until the penis hardens. Alternatively, men may be offered PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, which are taken by mouth and inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) in the penis, which leads to increased blood flow and an erection.
PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, lower blood pressure and were not previously recommended for men with coronary artery disease because of the risk of heart attack.
However, in 2017, researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden showed that men who had a previous heart attack tolerated PDE5 inhibitors well, and it also extended life expectancy.
In this new follow-up study, researchers analyzed 18,500 men with stable coronary artery disease who were being treated for ED — 16,500 of whom used Viagra and 2,000 who took alprostadil.
The analysis revealed that the men who took Viagra lived longer and had a lower risk of a new heart attack and heart failure than those who took alprostadil.
This effect appears to be dose dependent, with repeated doses of Viagra being less dangerous.
Dr Martin Holzmann, who led the study, explained: “This suggests a causal relationship, but the recording study cannot answer this question. It is possible that those who received PDE5 inhibitors were healthier than those who took alprostadil and therefore had a lower risk. To ascertain whether it is the drug that reduces risk, we will need to randomly assign patients to two groups, one that takes PDE5 and one that does not. Our findings provide a very good reason to initiate such a study.”
While the reason for the association remains unclear, the researchers hope the findings will encourage more men to consider Viagra.
Dr Holzmann added: “Potency problems are common in older men, and now our study also shows that PDE5 inhibitors may protect against heart attacks and extend life.”
Source: Daily Mail
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