Viagra, the blue pill that made a millionaire out of its inventor, Pfizer, is one of the most popular and profitable drugs of all time. The little blue pill has brought convenience and benefits to millions of men all over the world.
But have you ever wondered about the side effects of this amazing drug?
Let’s look at the science behind Viagra. Does it cause blood thinning, as its side effects claim? Let’s find out.
Viagra Is Named After The Chemical In It
Yes, Viagra is named after the chemical in it, Sildenafil. Here’s how it works: Sildenafil is a potent inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, an enzyme in the body that breaks down the second messenger molecule, cGMP. When cGMP is broken down, it can’t perform its task of relaxing blood vessels, which in turn leads to more blood flowing into the penis.
Viagra Reduces Men’s Risk Of Heart Attack
A recent study from the United Kingdom involving almost 200,000 men found that those who regularly took Viagra had a 24% reduction in their risk of heart attack. But this was only in relation to the first heart attack or stroke a man suffered after taking the drug. For men who already have heart disease, taking Viagra increases the risk of hospitalization.
The Study
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at the effect of Viagra on the health of 247,869 men. The researchers, from the UK’s Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and The Oxford Clinical Practice (OXCP) found that out of the 200,000 men in the study, 24.4% of them had a first heart attack or stroke between 2004 and 2010. The men who took Viagra were less likely to have had a heart attack or stroke than those who took placebo (an inactive substance). The researchers also looked at whether or not the men in the study had a chronic heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure before they took the pill. They followed the men for an average of 4.6 years. The study results are interesting, but you should know that the pill and the findings cannot be recommended as treatment for heart disease or risk of heart attack. However, for those men who do have heart disease or risk factors, the pill can be a useful addition to their treatment plan.
Side Effects Of Viagra
The side effects of Viagra are relatively mild. While taking the pill, you may experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, or blurred vision. These are all similar side effects to those experienced by men who take nitroglycerin or sildenafil for heart disease. However, if you’re taking Viagra for erectile dysfunction, you may want to consult your doctor as soon as these side effects appear.
Does Viagra Affect Women’s Health?
Another study from the UK involving almost 60,000 women looked at whether or not Viagra affected women’s health. The researchers, from the Universities of Birmingham and Glasgow, compared the health of women who took the pill with those who didn’t. They wanted to know if there was an association between Viagra and risk of stroke and heart disease. They also wanted to know if this association differed between women of different ages. Finally, they wanted to see if there was a difference in the way younger and older women reacted to the pill. Interestingly, they found that younger women who took Viagra had a 38% increase in their risk of heart disease compared to those who didn’t. However, this effect was not seen among older women. The researchers also found that compared to the younger women, the older women who took the pill had a 17% lower risk of stroke. They concluded that when it comes to women’s health, Viagra doesn’t seem to be all that beneficial. Why? They wrote:
“The observed associations did not reach statistical significance in the whole population. However, it is possible that for some individuals, the risk of cardiovascular events would have reached a level that is clinically significant.”
So, what do we learn from these studies? More and more men are heeding the call to take care of their heart health with the help of Viagra. As we’ve seen, the pill is associated with a 24% reduction in men’s risk of heart attack. It also appears to affect women’s health in a positive manner. The younger the woman is, the more likely she is to experience heart disease. And for some older women, it may even help prevent strokes! Is there another lesson we can learn from these studies? Maybe it’s time for women to take a step back and put their health first, as well? After all, it’s not fair to ask men to be responsible for your health, just because you’re a woman.
Conclusion
So, does Viagra cause blood thinning? It’s complicated. As we’ve seen, the drug is associated with a reduction in heart disease among men. However, it’s also associated with an increase in the risk of hospitalization for men with heart disease and diabetes, and in the risk of stroke for younger women. Overall, it’s not a healthy addition to your medicine cabinet, especially if you have other medication that you’re taking for heart disease or diabetes.
In terms of whether or not Viagra affects women in a positive manner and can be used to treat their heart disease, it’s complicated too. The drug is associated with a 17% reduction in the risk of stroke among older women, but it’s also associated with an increase in the risk of heart disease among younger women. So, as in the case with men, it seems that the pill can have both good and bad effects on a women’s health.
So, what’s the takeaway message? You may want to avoid Viagra if you’re already on medication for heart disease or diabetes. Otherwise, it may be an interesting addition to your medicine cabinet, to help relieve your erectile dysfunction. Just don’t expect it to cure your heart disease or reduce your risk of heart attack.