Most men have experienced erectile dysfunction (ED) brought on by age. But what is the impact of this common problem on your heart health? Could ED be harmful to your heart?
ED is characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is both satisfactory and maintains your partner’s satisfaction. This condition usually occurs in middle-aged and older men due to lifestyle factors such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. But contrary to popular belief, ED can also be a symptom of a heart problem.
A man with heart disease may experience ED due to damage to the vessels that supply blood to the penis. If this is the case, his doctor will probably recommend some type of medication to treat this issue. Unfortunately, since the introduction of Viagra in the 1990s, many men with heart disease have mistakenly believed that ED is a natural byproduct of aging and have used this medication to treat their condition. If you have heart disease and are taking or have taken Viagra, then it’s imperative that you consult with your doctor so that he can monitor the safe use of this medication and correct any potentially dangerous mistakes.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is a medication that was originally approved for use in the treatment of ED in the U.S. in the 1990s. It is also available in some other countries, such as the United Kingdom. This medication is a derivative of the chemical compound sildenafil, which is found in the fruit of the wild tomato plant (usually referred to as a “jewel” or “darling” among gardeners). Sildenafil has very specific pharmacological properties that enhance male sexual function when ingested. This substance is known as a PDE5 inhibitor, and it works by increasing the blood flow to the penis during arousal. This increase in blood flow is what allows you to maintain an erection that is both satisfactory and nourishes your partner. If you are interested in trying Viagra for the first time or have taken it in the past and are curious about its side effects, then you should consult with your doctor so that he can monitor your blood pressure and heart rate before you start using this medication.
How Does Viagra Affect Your Heart?
The chief mechanism by which Viagra affects your heart is similar to the way it affects your erectile function: increasing the blood flow to specific areas of the body. In addition to increasing the blood flow to the penis during arousal, sildenafil has been shown in studies to increase the blood flow to the brain (in particular to the area of the brain that is responsible for cognitive function, such as thinking and memory). It is well-established that the brain is a major regulator of heart function, and this suggests that Viagra may also affect your heart through a neural mechanism. This could theoretically lead to unexpected interactions between the drugs you are taking and Viagra. If you are taking any medications or supplements with the potential to interact with Viagra, then you should consult with your doctor before you start using this medication.
Will Viagra Induce Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
In the case that you are undergoing treatment for high cholesterol or heart disease and your doctor prescribes Viagra to help with your erection, he may also recommend that you take antihypertensive medication to deal with the increased blood pressure that is a side effect of sildenafil. But will Viagra actually cause hypertension?
The short answer is yes, it can. In fact, the FDA has issued a warning about potentially dangerous interactions between sildenafil and blood pressure drugs. This is particularly relevant for patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) or cardiovascular disease (such as heart disease) who might be taking or have taken Viagra. The concern is that by increasing the blood flow to your heart and brain, Viagra may also cause your blood pressure to rise. So if you are already taking or have taken Viagra and are concerned about your heart health, then you should not take any solace in the fact that your erection is likely due to natural causes. Instead, you should discuss this issue with your doctor so that he can prescribe you blood pressure medication and monitor the safe use of Viagra in your case.
Do Women Experience Any Side Effects From Viagra?
Just as there is usually an association between ED and heart disease, there is also an association between Viagra and female sexual dysfunction. This medication is commonly referred to as a “Viagra for women” or “female equivalent” of Viagra because it was designed for women with low blood pressure who were experiencing difficulty in becoming aroused and having satisfying sexual experiences. As in the case of men, there are several medications that are now available to treat women with low sexual desire and function. These medications, which are usually combined with estrogen or progesterone, are often used in the treatment of women with postmenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. In some cases, low libido and poor arousal have been shown to be associated with anxiety disorders and depression.
If you are taking or have taken Viagra and are interested in trying a treatment for your low sexual desire and function, then you should consult with a physician so that he can prescribe you one of the medications described above.
Is There A Risk Of Acute Rejection?
Another potential danger of Viagra is that it may provoke an immune response in some people. In particular, those who are genetically predisposed to developing this type of allergic reaction may have acute episodes of this disorder after they take Viagra. Although these episodes are relatively rare, they can be quite serious and even life-threatening. If you experience occasional (or frequent) allergic reactions after you take Viagra, then you should consult with your doctor to establish which, if any, of your medications (prescription or over-the-counter) might be the cause of these reactions.
In some cases, patients develop a sensitivity to Viagra after only a few doses (or pills). If you experience allergic reactions or acute episodes of rejection after starting to take or using this medication, then you should discontinue its use and try an alternative treatment. In other cases, these allergic reactions may become less severe with time and repeated exposure to the medication. But since these episodes can be quite uncomfortable and even dangerous, you should not be discouraged from seeking medical help if you experience them. It is also possible that the allergic reaction that you experience will not be recognized by your doctor as being associated with your use of Viagra. In these cases, you should be sure to mention this potential side effect to your doc so that he can rule it out as a possible cause of your symptoms.
Why Is Viagra Not Regarded As Healthy?
In general, men with heart disease who take or have taken Viagra are not regarded as healthy because this medication increases the blood flow to specific areas of the body (primarily the penis but also the brain). The rationale is that by increasing blood flow to these target areas, you are giving your body a boost, and that boost may be unhealthy. Blood circulation to the brain has been shown in studies to increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
If you are concerned about your heart health, then you should not take or have taken Viagra. But if you are not yet 50 years old and are looking for ways to improve your erectile function and boost your sexual performance, then you should consider trying this medication. Just be sure to consult with your doctor about the risks and side effects before you start using this medication.