If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either a physician or nurse practitioner who regularly works with patients who have heart problems. Or, perhaps, you’re the lucky owner of a heart-healthy dog who needs some extra love and attention because he’s growing old. In any case, you likely have an intimate knowledge of how important it is to keep your heart healthy, which is why I’m so grateful you’re here reading this. This article is for you.
The Basics Of Heart Diseases
Before we begin, let’s start with some general information about heart disease, its causes and effects. If you’re not familiar with the terms, don’t worry – I’ll explain them as we go along.
Heart disease is basically any disorder that affects the heart. It can be hard to define because there are so many different types of heart problems. However, most doctors and healthcare providers will use a combination of the following terms to describe the disease: coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, and arrhythmia. The causes of heart disease are also incredibly broad, ranging from unhealthy lifestyles to genetics and environmental factors. There’s also growing evidence that some forms of heart disease may be linked to a bacterial infection known as chlamydia pneumoniae (CP). This is why doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to treat this infection in addition to their anti-inflammatory drugs and lifestyle changes.
Another important thing to consider about heart disease is the fact that it’s one of the most prevalent and deadliest diseases globally. According to the American Heart Association, at least 17.3 million people in the U.S. have some form of the disease. This makes it the number one cause of death for women and men alike. In fact, the AHA reports that cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 41% of all deaths in the U.S. Additionally, over 550,000 people in the U.S. suffer from a heart attack or stroke every year. This makes it the second leading cause of death in the country (after cancer).
Viagra and Heart Disease
Moving on to the specifics of this article, let’s talk about how Viagra might be used to treat heart disease. The short answer is that it’s not recommended. This is because of serious side effects that might occur if a patient is taking Viagra and has heart problems. According to the FDA, patients with heart disease should not take Viagra because it may cause them to suffer a life-threatening complication known as a cardiac event. In most cases, this will happen if a patient’s blood pressure suddenly drops while on Viagra.
So, what are the dangers of taking Viagra if you have heart disease? The first and most obvious danger is that your blood pressure could drop dangerously low. For some patients, this can lead to permanent disability or even death. Another serious side effect of Viagra is that it can cause your heart to become more efficient at pumping blood. This can lead to a condition known as hypertrophy, in which the heart grows abnormally large. In some cases, this can cause heart failure.
Based on the risks associated with taking the drug, it’s clear that Viagra should not be prescribed for patients with heart disease. However, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be used to treat some other condition. For example, if a patient is taking the drug for erectile dysfunction (ED), it’s generally considered safe. However, if a patient is taking Viagra for reasons other than ED, the risks far outweigh the benefits. This is why it’s usually not a good idea to self-diagnose and treat ED with medication or supplements, even though these are often recommended by quacks and diet fanatics who believe that sex is vital to maintaining a healthy heart.
Vasodilators, Beta-blockers, And Heart Disease
Now that we know that Viagra should not be used in combination with heart medications, let’s talk about some of the alternative treatments available. First off, there are vasodilators, which are medicines that open up the vasculature (the system of blood vessels) in the body. This improves the blood flow throughout the body, which in turn improves the function of every organ in the body, especially the heart. Some examples of vasodilators include nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, and sildenafil (also known as Viagra).
Another common treatment for heart disease is the beta-blocker. Beta-blockers are chemical compounds that reduce the response of the beta receptors located in the wall of the heart. When these receptors are activated, they promote the production of prostaglandins (a substance that promotes smooth muscle contraction), which in turn causes a heart attack. Beta-blockers inhibit the production of prostaglandins, so when administered to patients with heart disease, they can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. Some examples of beta-blockers include acebutolol, atenolol, bisoprolol, and metoprolol. Finally, let’s not forget about Viagra’s companion drug, sildenafil (also known as Viagra RiCa). Like Viagra, sildenafil can boost the blood flow to the penis, which improves the odds of achieving an erection. Additionally, sildenafil is known to improve the function of the patency (the valve that opens and closes to allow blood to flow in and out of the heart) of the vasculature in patients with diabetes (type 2). In this case, it may be a good idea to administer Viagra and sildenafil together, as they work well together in terms of improving blood flow and erectile function.
How Does This Relate To A/fib?
So, as you’ve probably guessed, all of this information about Viagra and heart disease is directly related to issues that may arise if a patient has A/fib. I’m sure most of you have already guessed, but just to verify, let’s review what A/fib is. A/fib is a condition in which the heart rhythm is irregular. It’s caused by a cardiac abnormality, most commonly ventricular fibrillation. However, in some cases, A/fib may be caused by atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or a combination of the two. Additionally, A/fib can be triggered by a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. This is why it’s vital to seek medical help as soon as possible if you or a loved one is experiencing A/fib.
When a patient has A/fib, their heart beat becomes chaotic and disorganized, which in turn causes them to bleed more easily. This is why you’re more prone to bleed during and after an episode of A/fib. Additionally, the condition is associated with an extremely high mortality rate. According to the AHA, as many as 25% of all people with A/fib will die within the first year of diagnosis. Furthermore, the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death increases with each episode of A/fib. This is why it’s important to make sure your cardiac medication is working as well as it can be and that you’re not experiencing any side effects.
Causes Of A/fib
So, as mentioned earlier, the causes of A/fib are incredibly diverse. However, in most cases, it’s a combination of factors that contribute to its development. Some of the most common causes of A/fib include: