A study has linked an almost unheard of condition called angina pectoris — or chest pain — to a particular type of heart attack. It’s called Type 4c heart attack and it’s less common than the other types. The condition occurs when blood vessels in the heart become clogged, causing a heart attack. Doctors have known about the link between these heart attacks and erectile dysfunction for years, but it wasn’t commonly accepted that Viagra could be used to treat this condition. The study’s findings suggest that Viagra could be used as an “antagonist” to treat Type 4c heart attacks.
What Is Angina Pectoris?
Let’s back up a bit. What is angina pectoris? According to the American Heart Association, angina pectoris (or “coronary artery disease”) is a condition “characterized by a chronic, uncomfortable feeling of chest pressure or discomfort that comes with angina pectoris or an episode of heart attack.”
It’s not a heart attack, but it’s associated with it. Also known as “chest pain,” some people experience angina pectoris when their body detects an obstruction or blockage in the coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that lead to the heart. (In most cases, these arteries become clogged due to the build-up of plaque, a waxy substance that forms inside the walls of the arteries and narrows the vessels over time.)
If you have angina, you may know that it can be an indicator of a heart attack. But it can also be a completely separate condition that occurs when there is an obstruction or blockage in the arteries. This is why it is important to try to identify the cause of your chest pain when taking a medication such as Viagra to treat your erectile dysfunction. You may also need to see a physician to rule out an entirely different medical issue such as a heart attack.
The Link Between Viagra and Angina Pectoris
Now that you understand what angina pectoris is, you may be wondering about the link between this rarely seen condition and erectile dysfunction. Does erectile dysfunction lead to angina pectoris? The link between angina pectoris and erectile dysfunction has been known for decades, but it wasn’t generally accepted by the medical community that this was a causal relationship. (In other words, it wasn’t believed that ED caused the condition.)
A study from 2017 conducted at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine sought to determine the cause of ED. The findings suggested that there is a “causal relationship” between the two conditions. (To learn more, you can read the study or visit the university’s website.)
In men with ED who experienced angina pectoris during an erection, the condition was linked to Type 4c heart attacks. That study examined data from 1,788 men with ED and found that those who had experienced an angina pectoris attack during an erection were 1.7 times more likely to have a Type 4c heart attack than those who hadn’t.
It makes sense that there would be a connection between these two conditions. After all, erectile dysfunction causes blood vessels in the penis to dilate, increasing the flow of blood to the penis. In turn, this might cause the chest pressure or discomfort that is experienced when having an erection. (And remember, coronary arteries are also located in the chest.)
How Is Viagra Used To Treat Angina Pectoris?
If you’re taking Viagra for erectile dysfunction and you also experience angina pectoris during an erection, your doctor may prescribe you a different type of medication to treat your condition. This is because Viagra treats erectile dysfunction and has anti-angina properties.
The American Heart Association recommends that men with angina pectoris take aspirin and a beta-blocker drug (such as carvedilol or metoprolol), with or without a cholesterol-lowering medication. (It is also advised that men with ED take a statin drug, which lowers cholesterol.)
As mentioned, Viagra has been known to have anti-angina properties for years. This was first tested in humans in the 1980s, and the findings suggested that Viagra could be an effective treatment for angina. (In fact, one study found that 50 mg of Viagra caused a significant drop in angina episodes in patients who were already taking metoprolol and aspirin.)
Unfortunately, Viagra isn’t the only treatment option for angina. Also known as “angina pectoris,” the condition can be extremely painful and may require medical intervention. If you’re experiencing pain when taking a nitroglycerin pill, you may need an alternative treatment option. (Nitroglycerin is a common treatment for angina. It causes dilation of the coronary arteries and allows more blood to flow through the vessels, relieving the discomfort.)
How Common Is Angina Pectoris?
It’s not entirely clear how common angina pectoris is. The study from 2017 found that 4.9% of men with ED had experienced an angina pectoris attack during an erection, while 1.7% of men without ED had experienced the condition. (The study also suggested that men with ED who had experienced an angina pectoris attack were 1.7 times more likely to have a Type 4c heart attack than those who hadn’t.)
This makes sense, as I just mentioned that the condition is associated with ED. And it has been known for years that ED is quite common, affecting an estimated 29.1 million American men. (For more on this, you can read a 2019 article in Good Medicine, a professional journal published by the American Heart Association.)
Unfortunately, there are also cardiovascular risks associated with ED. (To read more, you can visit the American Heart Association’s website or the journal Erectile Dysfunction for more on this topic.) These risks include coronary artery disease, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, and stroke. Also, some men with ED may be more prone to gastrointestinal bleeding, liver disease, and kidney disease. (It should be noted that these risks apply to both sides of the ED coin — whether you have the condition or suffer from it. But it is widely accepted that ED is a major health issue for men.)
This study did not examine the prevalence of coronary artery disease in men with ED. However, based on the study results, it can be estimated that about 1 in 7 men with ED — or 13.7% — have coronary artery disease. (Keep in mind that this estimation is very precise, and is based on probability. We cannot guarantee that an angina pectoris attack will occur based on this probability. However, it is certainly a good guess.)
When Is It Best To Take Viagra?
If you’re taking Viagra for erectile dysfunction and you also have angina pectoris during an erection, your doctor may prescribe you a different medication or combination thereof. This is because Viagra treats erectile dysfunction and has anti-angina properties. However, it is important to note that not all men with angina pectoris will necessarily respond to Viagra therapy.
Many factors need to be taken into consideration, including how well you respond to treatment with other drugs. Also, your physician must decide whether or not to prescribe you a nitroglycerin patch, which is applied directly to the chest to relieve angina pain.
In general, it is recommended for men with angina pectoris to take Viagra at least 30 minutes prior to sexual activity. This allows the medication to take effect and prevents any adverse effects from occurring. (In most cases, these effects are mild and go away after a few hours. But in rare instances, they can be severe and even life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to try to avoid taking this drug earlier than recommended.)
When Should You Call Your Doctor?
If you’re taking Viagra for erectile dysfunction and you also have angina pectoris during an erection, your doctor may prescribe you a different type of medication to treat your condition. This is because Viagra treats erectile dysfunction and has anti-angina properties. However, it is important to note that not all men with angina pectoris will necessarily respond to Viagra therapy.