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A recent study found that men taking erectile dysfunction medication may have a reduced risk of early death and are less likely to develop different heart problems.
Medications for erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, increase blood flow to the penis by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which interferes with the chemical signals responsible for muscle relaxation, allowing the blood flow and cause an erection.
To study the effect of these drugs on cardiovascular health and mortality, researchers analyzed the electronic health records of more than 23,000 Americans between 2006 and 2020. These men had taken at least one phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5i ), as is the case with Viagra.
The team compared this group with another group of more than 48,000 men with erectile dysfunction who were not prescribed medication, reported the Interesting Engineering.
The study, published at Journal of Sexual Medicine, concluded that men who had taken drugs that inhibit PDE-5i were 39% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who had no prescription record. Also were 25% less likely to die for any other cause.
Men who took a higher dose of these drugs were better protected against heart disease than those who took a lower dose.
These men had a 17% lower incidence of heart failure, a 15% lower likelihood of needing a heart procedure, and a 22% lower incidence of unstable angina.
Previous studies have suggested that drugs that inhibit PDE-5i may have benefits for cardiovascular health. These drugs have been found to improve blood flow to the heartreduce the stiffness of blood vessels and decrease inflammation in the body.
Some investigations have also shown that PDE-5 inhibitors can positively affect platelet function, which could reduce the risk of clots forming in blood vessels.
However, the study has some limitations. This was an observational analysis, meaning it can only show an association between the use of erectile dysfunction medications and a reduced risk of death, not a causal relationship.
Other factors, such as a better health or frequent doctor visits, may have contributed to the reduction in the risk of death. Furthermore, the study was funded by Sanofi, which sells its own PDE-5i inhibitor called avanafil, so there is a potential conflict of interest.
The study focused on insurance-paid erectile dysfunction drugs and did not account for those paid by patients. Because of this, the study may not have accurately captured who was actually taking such drugs.
“While it is possible that Viagra may have some cardiovascular benefits, this would require more investigationand this current study does not prove it,” he told Science Alert cardiologist Deepak Bhatt, director of Mount Sinai Heart in New York.
The next step would be to conduct a large clinical trial in a controlled environment to confirm the result.
ZAP // 
