Since the discovery of Sildenafil (Viagra) in the early 1980s, it has become one of the most popularly used erectile dysfunction (ED) medications. Initially prescribed as a treatment for heart disease, it is now taken for a variety of sexual disorders which includes, but is not limited to, erectile dysfunction (ED).
Although marketed for benign purposes, physicians have raised questions about the safety of long-term use given its relationship to heart disease. One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine even suggested that men who took Viagra daily for more than nine years might have an increased risk of developing heart disease.
Now doctors are faced with a new controversy. Does Viagra intake also reduce blood pressure?
The evidence suggests that it may. A few small studies have shown a positive correlation between blood pressure and Viagra intake. In one study, 15 patients with mild to moderate hypertension (high blood pressure) were given 50 mg of Sildenafil immediately prior to an MRI scan. The results showed a significant decrease in both systolic (p < 0.005) and diastolic (p < 0.05) blood pressure. Another study found a similar significant decline in blood pressure after just one dose of Viagra.
These results were confirmed in a meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials involving over 500 men aged 18 to 84. The analysis showed that Sildenafil significantly lowered blood pressure compared to placebo across the studies (p < 0.0001). However, the results were probably not clinically relevant as the participants had only mild to moderate hypertension at baseline. A more recent study also suggests that Sildenafil may be cardioprotective, especially in patients with heart failure or coronary artery disease.
The results of these studies indicate that Sildenafil intake may be protective against heart disease in men with hypertension or stable heart failure. However, as with any newly prescribed medication, patients should be monitored by their physician for signs of side effects.
What About Women?
The results of randomized controlled trials on women are much more conflicting. While some studies have shown that Sildenafil can significantly improve sexual function in women, other studies have not shown any significant effects at all. It is also important to point out that these studies all had different designs and measured various sexual functions differently. It is possible that Sildenafil works differently in men and women and that the results will vary depending on the type of measurement used. Finally, as with any newly prescribed medication, patients should be monitored for signs of side effects.