Viagra May Help Men with Coronary Artery Disease Live Longer

New Sweden research from NHS found that "Viagra" can help men live longer, while reducing the chances of a serious heart attack.

The researchers tested the drug, often referred to as the "blue pill", on men with coronary artery disease - a condition that leads to a blockage or interruption of the heart's blood supply due to a buildup of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.

And they found that the men who took Viagra not only lived longer, but they were also less likely to have a new heart attack.

Impotence and its implications

Impotence is often an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease in healthy men, and it can be treated with two types of medications.

First, men can be given an injection of alprostadil, which expands blood vessels until the penis is hardened. Alternatively, men may be offered PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, which are taken orally that inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) in the penis, leading to increased blood flow and erections.

What effect does Viagra have on a man?

PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, lower blood pressure and were not previously recommended for men with coronary artery disease due to the risk of heart attack.

This effect appears to be dose dependent, with repeated doses of Viagra being less dangerous.

Source: NHS