Viagra May Help Men Live LONGER: Blue Pill Extends Life and Prevents Heart Attacks in Men With Coronary Heart Disease, Study Finds
- Scientists analyzed 18,500 men with coronary artery disease and impotence
- 16,500 were on Viagra, while 2,000 were on the drug alprostadil
- Those on Viagra were found to live longer and have a lower risk of heart attack
- The reason for the link remains unclear, although the researchers hope the findings will stimulate further research
It’s known for its beneficial effects in the bedroom, and now a new study suggests that Viagra may help men live longer, too.
Researchers have tested the drug, often referred to as the “blue pill,” on men with coronary artery disease – a condition that causes blood flow to the heart to be blocked or interrupted by a buildup of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
They found that men who took Viagra not only lived longer, but also had a lower risk of another heart attack.
While the reason for the link remains unclear, the researchers hope the findings will encourage men with coronary artery disease to discuss the option of taking Viagra with their doctor.
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It’s known for its beneficial effects in the bedroom, and now a new study suggests Viagra may also help men live longer (stock image)
Impotence is often an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease in healthy men and can be treated with two types of medications.
First, men can receive an injection of alprostadil, which widens blood vessels, causing the penis to stiffen.
Alternatively, men may be offered PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, which are taken orally and inhibit the enzyme Phosphodiesterase5 (PDE5) in the penis, causing blood to increase and resulting in an erection.
PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra lower blood pressure and were previously not recommended for men with coronary artery disease due to the risk of heart attack.
However, in 2017, researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden showed that men who have previously had a heart attack tolerate PDE5 inhibitors well and that it even extends life expectancy.
In this new follow-up study, the researchers analyzed 18,500 men with stable coronary artery disease who were being treated for impotence – 16,500 of whom were on Viagra and 2,000 who received alprostadil.
The analysis found that men who received Viagra lived longer and had a lower risk of another heart attack, heart failure, balloon dilation, and bypass surgery than those who received alprostadil.
The analysis found that men who received Viagra lived longer and had a lower risk of another heart attack, heart failure, balloon dilation, and bypass surgery than those who received alprostadil.
This effect appeared to be dose-dependent, with those receiving more frequent doses of Viagra having the lowest risk.
Dr. Martin Holzmann, who led the study, explained, “This suggests there is a causal relationship, but a registry study cannot answer that question.
It is possible that those who received PDE5 inhibitors were healthier than those who took alprostadil and therefore had a lower risk.
‘To determine if it is the drug that reduces the risk, we should randomly divide patients into two groups, one using PDE5 and one not.
‘The results we have now give us a very good reason to start such a study.’
While the reason for the link remains unclear, the researchers hope the findings will encourage more men to use Viagra.
Dr. Hozmann added, “Potency problems are common in older men and now our study also shows that PDE5 inhibitors can protect against heart attack and extend life.”
In the UK, Viagra is available from the NHS, as a private prescription, from a pharmacy, or even online.
WHAT IS CORONAR DISEASE?
Coronary artery disease occurs when the major blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients are damaged.
CAD affects more than 1.6 million men and a million women in the UK, and a total of 15 million adults in the US.
It is usually due to plaque and inflammation.
When plaque builds up, it narrows the arteries, decreasing blood flow to the heart.
Over time, this can cause angina pectoris, while a complete blockage can lead to a heart attack.
Many people have no symptoms at first, but as plaque builds up, they may notice chest pain or shortness of breath while exercising or under stress.
Other causes of CAD are smoking, diabetes and an inactive lifestyle.
It can be prevented by quitting smoking, controlling conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, staying active, eating well, and managing stress.
Medicines can help lower cholesterol, while aspirin thins the blood to reduce the risk of blood clots.
In severe cases, stents can be placed in the arteries to open them, while coronary bypass surgery creates a graft to bypass the blocked arteries using a vessel from another part of the body.
Coronary artery disease occurs when the large blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients are damaged (artist’s impression)