Viagra and Your Heart

Is Viagra (sildenafil) safe for your heart? Within a month after this treatment for impotence came on the market, it was the fastest selling drug in history. Yet in another three months, serious concern about side effects arose. Thirty-nine men who had used the drug died.

Viagra is a welcome treatment for many men because it works so well. The drug is effective for about 90% of men who have impotence that isn't caused by disease. Among those with diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis, 50% were treated effectively. Even men who have had nerve injury from prostate surgery often can be helped. It's no wonder the drug is so popular.

Also, there aren't many side effects for most men. The most common one is headache. Other symptoms can include nasal congestion, indigestion, diarrhea, a flushed face and impaired color vision.

If your heart is healthy, you're likely a candidate for Viagra. However, men with heart disease should be extremely careful. Those who take nitrate drugs or nitroglycerin cannot safely use Viagra. No one should take nitroglycerin or long-acting nitrates before or after the use of Viagra. Using Viagra can cause the arteries to widen and blood pressure to drop significantly, which can lead to heart attack, stroke or death.


Men who are considering taking Viagra should be aware of these recommendations issued by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

If you have mild stable angina and occasionally take nitroglycerin for it, an exercise stress test may be necessary to determine if you can safely take Viagra.

Have your blood pressure monitored in your doctor's office the first time you take Viagra. Viagra may cause low blood pressure in patients who control high blood pressure with a multi-drug regimen.

Be cautious about taking erythromycin, diltiazem, verapamil or cimetidine while using Viagra or if you have liver or kidney disease. These prolong the activity of Viagra. Hence they potentially may cause serious side effects.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also urges caution for men who have suffered a stroke, heart attack or disturbance in their heart's rhythm and men who have a history of congestive heart failure, low blood pressure, unstable angina or uncontrolled high blood pressure.


Despite the above warnings, Viagra is a safe and effective treatment for many men. Before you consider taking Viagra, be evaluated by your doctor. Often, impotence problems are caused by medication. If it's determined that impotence isn't caused by a medication, a hormonal imbalance or a psychological problem, then Viagra may be appropriate help.


Don't drink alcohol and take the drug.
Don't use it more than once a day.
Don't use it to enhance sexual performance if you don't suffer from impotence.

Is Viagra (sildenafil) safe for your heart? Within a month after this treatment for impotence came on the market, it was the fastest selling drug in history. Yet in another three months, serious concern about side effects arose. Thirty-nine men who had used the drug died.

Viagra is a welcome treatment for many men because it works so well. The drug is effective for about 90% of men who have impotence that isn't caused by disease. Among those with diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis, 50% were treated effectively. Even men who have had nerve injury from prostate surgery often can be helped. It's no wonder the drug is so popular.

Also, there aren't many side effects for most men. The most common one is headache. Other symptoms can include nasal congestion, indigestion, diarrhea, a flushed face and impaired color vision.

If your heart is healthy, you're likely a candidate for Viagra. However, men with heart disease should be extremely careful. Those who take nitrate drugs or nitroglycerin cannot safely use Viagra. No one should take nitroglycerin or long-acting nitrates before or after the use of Viagra. Using Viagra can cause the arteries to widen and blood pressure to drop significantly, which can lead to heart attack, stroke or death.


Men who are considering taking Viagra should be aware of these recommendations issued by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

If you have mild stable angina and occasionally take nitroglycerin for it, an exercise stress test may be necessary to determine if you can safely take Viagra.

Have your blood pressure monitored in your doctor's office the first time you take Viagra. Viagra may cause low blood pressure in patients who control high blood pressure with a multi-drug regimen.

Be cautious about taking erythromycin, diltiazem, verapamil or cimetidine while using Viagra or if you have liver or kidney disease. These prolong the activity of Viagra. Hence they potentially may cause serious side effects.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also urges caution for men who have suffered a stroke, heart attack or disturbance in their heart's rhythm and men who have a history of congestive heart failure, low blood pressure, unstable angina or uncontrolled high blood pressure.


Despite the above warnings, Viagra is a safe and effective treatment for many men. Before you consider taking Viagra, be evaluated by your doctor. Often, impotence problems are caused by medication. If it's determined that impotence isn't caused by a medication, a hormonal imbalance or a psychological problem, then Viagra may be appropriate help.


Don't drink alcohol and take the drug.
Don't use it more than once a day.
Don't use it to enhance sexual performance if you don't suffer from impotence.