When a man becomes sexually aroused, there’s often a noticeable increase in blood pressure. But what happens if he takes Viagra? Can sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra, cause low blood pressure?
It’s a commonly held misconception that engaging in sexual activity can cause your blood pressure to drop. Many people believe that having a healthy sex life makes them feel better about themselves. So when their blood pressure is rising during sex, they assume that it must be a natural reaction to their pleasurable feelings. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
It’s important to remember that while there are many positive effects of sex on your health, it can also have a negative impact. When your blood pressure is rising during sex, it usually indicates that you’re either not taking it seriously or that there’s another problem.
Blood Pressure As A Function Of Various Factors
Your blood pressure is a result of a complex interaction between many factors. Some of the more prominent ones are:
- your gender
- your age
- your weight
- your lifestyle
- your genetics
- your environment
- your emotional state
- your state of mind
Even when all of these factors are kept constant, it’s still impossible to predict exactly what will happen to your blood pressure. It’s highly sensitive to change and varies from person to person. That’s why a blood pressure reading simply refers to the “average” blood pressure for that particular person. In other words, blood pressure is not a tangible thing like “high” or “low” but rather a general measurement that depends on many different factors.
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra works by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter nitric oxide. When produced in sufficient quantities, nitric oxide helps to relax the muscles in the walls of your blood vessels. As a result, blood vessels become more elastic and able to relax more easily. When blood vessels are relaxed, it usually means that there’s less pressure inside the vessels and thus lower blood pressure. (1)
The Difference Between Sildenafil And Viagra
As mentioned previously, Viagra is a medication that enhances the effect of nitric oxide on the body. But there’s another medication called sildenafil that’s very similar to Viagra and that’s been used to treat erectile dysfunction. The only significant difference between the two medications is how they’re absorbed by the body. While Viagra is directly dissolved into the bloodstream, sildenafil must first pass through the liver in order to become active. This makes sildenafil somewhat more suitable for use in treating liver disorders and other related problems. Otherwise, the impact on blood pressure is extremely similar.
Sexual Activity And Blood Pressure
So how does sex impact blood pressure? Let’s take a look.
It’s been well-established that sexual activity can cause your blood pressure to rise. To some extent, this increase is due to the fact that sex requires your body to engage in vigorous physical activity. However, your increased blood pressure is not solely a result of your bodily needs. It’s also related to the mental and emotional aspects of sex. When you become sexually aroused, there are often visible changes in your body that result from the stimulation of your nerves. Among other things, this usually entails an increase in blood flow to your head and neck area. At the same time, your heart rate tends to speed up as well. All of this results in increased blood pressure. (2)
Viagra And Other Causes Of Low Blood Pressure
As mentioned previously, Viagra directly affects blood pressure. But what other factors can cause low blood pressure?
In most cases, there’s no definite cause for low blood pressure. However, there are various conditions that frequently go hand-in-hand with it. Some of the more prominent ones are:
- anemia
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- shock
- anxiety
- depression
- hyperthyroidism
In most cases, there’s no specific treatment for low blood pressure. However, there are instances where treating the underlying condition can result in significant improvements in blood pressure. In addition, medications such as nitrates and alpha-blockers can also be used to treat low blood pressure. In particular, nitrates can help to relax blood vessels and reduce the workload of the heart. This makes it easier for the heart to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Similarly, alpha-blockers can help to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. As a result, blood pressure tends to drop even in cases where the underlying cause is unknown.