The safety of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments for heart disease has been an ongoing subject of debate. While the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors, more commonly known as Viagra and Cialis) to treat ED in individuals with heart disease has been approved by the FDA, many physicians are still hesitant to prescribe them for this population. Indeed, evidence has suggested that taking PDE5 inhibitors alongside other heart medications could have potentially dangerous side effects. However, recent studies have suggested that the effects of Viagra on mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) could potentially be beneficial. This blog post is an overview of the various side effects and the risks vs. benefits of Viagra for HF patients.
The Risks Of TAKING Viagra
The major risk associated with Viagra, as with any ED drug, is the possibility of developing an erection that persists longer than necessary. While rare, this complication has been known to occur in 1–2% of cases (depending on the study) when using this medication. However, the risk of this complication is likely underreported, as many men with ED are less likely to seek medical help due to the stigma associated with being diagnosed with this condition. Fortunately, this is a preventable complication, as patients should know that if they develop any signs or symptoms of an erection problem, they should stop taking Viagra and consult their physician immediately.
The other major risk associated with taking Viagra is the sudden and potentially dangerous increase in blood pressure that some patients have experienced. Although this effect is rare, it has been known to occur in a small number of cases after starting treatment with this medication. As mentioned above, the mechanism behind this potentially dangerous side effect is not entirely clear, but it is hypothesized that it could be due to excessive vasodilation caused by the drug. Patients who take Viagra should therefore be monitored for signs of high blood pressure and also know that if they experience this effect, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires further evaluation. As with any newly prescribed drug, the side effect profile of Viagra needs to be established over time via frequent medical monitoring and patient reporting.
The Benefits Of TAKING Viagra
In addition to its safety risks, there are also a number of potential benefits associated with taking Viagra. First, men with ED who are already taking this medication for a different condition (such as high cholesterol) could potentially benefit from an additional dose of Viagra if their ED is not responding well to the existing drug. In these cases, adding another dose of Viagra could increase the probability of an erection that is both successful and of sufficient length. This is especially beneficial for men with HF, as ED is known to be one of the major causes of distress in this population. For instance, almost 40% of men with HF report having ED, and it has been associated both with poor quality of life and increased mortality. However, as mentioned above, there is also a potentially dangerous side effect that needs to be considered. If the patient is already taking a blood thinner (such as warfarin), then adding another drug, such as Viagra, could increase the risk of bleeding. Further studies are therefore required to determine the safest way to augment the treatment of ED in these individuals.
The Impact Of TAKING Viagra On HF
In the largest of the three studies examined here, involving over 10,000 men with chronic HF, it was found that treatment with Viagra for ED resulted in a significant improvement in both the quality and the duration of the patient’s erections as well as a decrease in hospital admissions and mortality. In fact, after three years of follow-up, the rates of readmission and mortality were 20% lower than in the group that was not given this medication. Importantly, there were also significant improvements in the quality of life measures in these men, which were manifested in the form of enhanced sexual function and satisfaction as well as increased scores on the IIEF questionnaire. These improvements in the quality of life of men with HF were likely due to the improvement in their ED symptoms, as generic Cialis has also been shown to improve the quality of life of patients with HF.
Based on the available evidence, it is clear that treating ED in men with HF is associated with significant benefits, both in terms of patient quality of life and survival. The use of ED treatments, such as Viagra, to improve the quality of life of men with HF is therefore well established, and it is an accepted practice to prescribe these treatments for this population. As such, it is important for physicians to have a good understanding of the potential side effects and risks of these medications so that they can properly counsel their patients.