Viagra can help men live longer: blue pill prolongs life and prevents heart attacks in men with coronary arteries, the study finds
- Scientists analyzed 18,500 men with coronary artery disease and impotence
- 16 500 used Viagra, while 2000 received a drug called alprostadil
- Those on Viagra have been 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 encourage follow-up studies.
It is known for its beneficial effects in the bedroom, and now a new study indicates that Viagra can also help men live longer.
Researchers have tested the drug, also known as the ‘blue pill’, on men with coronary arteries – a condition that causes the blood supply to the heart to be blocked or interrupted by the 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 getting a new heart attack.
Although the reason for the connection is unclear, the researchers hope that the findings will encourage men with coronary arteries to discuss the possibility of taking Viagra with their doctor.
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It is known for its beneficial effects in the bedroom, and now a new study indicates that Viagra can also help men to live longer (image)
Impotence is often an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease in healthy men and can be treated with two types of drugs.
First, men may be offered an injection of alprostadil, which dilates the blood vessels so that the penis becomes stiff.
Alternatively, men may be offered PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, which are taken orally and inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase5 (PDE5) in the penis, which increases blood flow and results in an erection.
PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra lower blood pressure and have not previously been recommended for men with coronary arteries due to the risk of a heart attack.
In 2017, however, researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden showed that men who had previously had a heart attack tolerate PDE5 inhibitors well and that it prolongs life expectancy.
In this new follow-up study, the researchers analyzed 18,500 men with stable coronary artery disease treated for impotence – 16,500 people who used Viagra, and 2,000 who received alprostadil.
The analysis revealed that men who received Viagra lived longer and had a lower risk of a new heart attack, heart failure, balloon dilation and bypass surgery than those who received alprostadil.
The analysis revealed that men who received Viagra lived longer and had a lower risk of a new heart attack, heart failure, balloon dilation and bypass surgery than those who received alprostadil.
This effect appears to be dose-dependent, with those taking more frequent doses of Viagra at the lowest risk.
Dr Martin Holzmann, who led the study, explained: ‘This indicates that there is a causal link, but a registry study cannot answer the question.
‘It is possible that those who received PDE5 inhibitors were healthier than those of alprostadil and therefore had a lower risk.
‘To determine if it is the drug that reduces the risk, we should randomly assign patients into two groups, one that takes PDE5 and one that does not.
“The results we have now give us very good reason to undertake such a study.”
Although the reason for the link remains unclear, the researchers hope the findings will encourage more men to consider Viagra.
Dr Hozmann added: “Power problems are common in older men and now our study also shows that PDE5 inhibitors can protect against heart attacks and prolong life.”
In the UK, Viagra is available on the NHS, as a private prescription, at a pharmacy or even online.
WHAT ARE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASES?
Coronary artery disease occurs when the major blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart are damaged.
CAD affects more than 1.6 million men and one million women in the UK, and a total of 15 million adults in the US.
This is usually due to plaque and inflammation.
When plaque builds up, it narrows the arteries, which reduces the blood flow to the heart.
Over time, it can cause angina, while a complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
Many people have no symptoms at first, but as the plaque builds up, they may experience chest pain or shortness of breath when exercising or stressing.
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.
Drugs can help lower cholesterol, while aspirin dilutes the blood to reduce the risk of blood clots.
In severe cases, stents can be placed in the veins to open them, while surgical bypass surgery creates a distance to bypass the blocked arteries by using a vessel from another part of the body.
Coronary artery disease occurs when the major blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart are damaged (artist impression)