Viagra and Heart

According to a recent study findings, erectile dysfunction can be a precursor for coronary heart disease, and contrary to that, another recent study suggested that Viagra prevents anti-cancer induced heart damages. Viagra is not prescribed for the person having heart related disease and erectile dysfunction as well. But at the same time, Viagra can prevent anti-cancer drug induced heart damages.

A recent study suggests that Viagra prevents anti-cancer induced heart damage, and on the other hand, another study says that erectile dysfunction may be a precursor for coronary heart disease. Let’s look into both these studies on Viagra to understand its effect on heart related problems.

A recent study conducted by urologist of Christian Medical college and Hospital (CMCH) concluded that erectile dysfunction can be a precursor for coronary heart disease. The study further suggested that Viagra may prevent anti-cancer drug induced heart damages.

Dr. Kim Mammen, conducting the study, told that the study established several links between sexual dysfunction and heart disease. It’s a fact that in several men, cardiac drugs are responsible for Erectile Dysfunction (ED).”In men, several cardiac drugs are accountable for erectile dysfunction (ED), and treatment of ED may be associated with cardiovascular side effects.”

Earlier studies, said Dr Mammen, have revealed that men with coronary artery disease, hypertension or diabetes have an up to fourfold higher risk of developing ED. Conversely, coronary artery disease (CAD) patients commonly have ED too. Evidence is accumulating to consider erectile dysfunction as a vascular problem. The study was conducted on patients in the age group 50-59 years. Dr Mammen recommended screening on cardiovascular risk factors and taking preventive measures in men with erectile dysfunction.

While researchers have concluded that beside men having coronary artery disease are more prone to ED, but a recent study suggests that Viagra prevents anti-cancer drug induced heart damages. Commonwealth University researchers have found that the popular impotence drug Viagra prevents damage to the heart from a potent chemotherapeutic agent frequently used in the treatment of breast cancer, leukemia and sarcomas.

Earlier in other studies also it was found that Viagra may prove to be beneficial for heart related problems. In the April 5 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers demonstrated for the first time that administration of clinically relevant doses of Viagra, generically known as sildenafil citrate, one-hour prior to the administration of the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) prevented heart damage at the cellular level. The research also showed that the impotence drug also prevented dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in a chronic mouse model. Furthermore, researchers observed a reduction of DOX-induced cell death, an improvement of heart function, and a reduction of electrophysiological abnormalities associated with heart sickness.

“Viagra stabilizes the mitochondria and protects against free-radical damage of the mitochondria and heart dysfunction caused by treatment with DOX by opening the mitochondrial KATP channels in cardiac cells,”

“Viagra is able to protect the heart from damage that would otherwise disrupt normal cellular functioning,”

ED can be caused by many problems like age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, factor, but Viagra has proven itself to be the best and the safest treatment to have control over impotence. And as the recent studies suggest, that day is not too far as well when Viagra will be solving the purpose of treating and preventing anti-cancer drug induced heart damages as well.