Can I Take ED Drugs After a Heart Attack?

Men who have suffered a heart attack can benefit from drugs for erectile dysfunction. It turned out that Viagra reduces the risk of recurrent myocardial infarction and increases the chances of survival if a heart attack has happened.

ED drugs reduce the risk of death after a heart attack by 40%

Drugs for the treatment of impotence (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) reduce the risk of re-hospitalization and death after a heart attack. This conclusion was made by Swedish researchers.

Use of such drugs after a heart attack is not only safe for health but also useful, as scientists believe. Patients taking these small pills are 33% less likely to die from any cause after a heart attack. Despite the fact that previous studies have come to the opposite conclusions, today scientists have proven that Viagra reduces the likelihood of re-hospitalization. This is the most popular anti-impotence drug (known as a PDE5 inhibitor).

Scientists focused on studying the risks of heart attack and related death in patients suffering from both erectile dysfunctions. The researchers analyzed case histories dated 2007–2015. The data included 5956 men aged 40 to 89 years who had suffered a heart attack in the past. 1359 participants received PDE-5 inhibitors.

After 7 years of observation, it turned out that those who took PDE-5 inhibitors had a 31% lower risk of death from various causes.

After taking PDE-5 inhibitors, the risk of death among patients with congestive heart failure, transient ischemic attack (“microinfarction”) and peripheral vascular disease decreased by 36%, 40%, and 34%, respectively.

In addition, the researchers found that men who took ED drugs had a lower risk of a heart attack.

During follow-up, 432 men died as a result of a heart attack. However, the mortality rate among those who took PDE-5 inhibitors was 25%, while this figure was higher among the rest of the study participants: 42.7%.

ED drugs: not only for erection

Professor Trafford and his colleagues noted that new observations confirm the results of previous studies, which stated that ED drugs like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra can positively affect the heart. Scientists are calling now for an “immediate study” of how PDE-5 inhibitors can help patients with type 2 diabetes.

“It is possible that the benefits of these drugs are much broader than the treatment of erectile dysfunction,” the researchers said. “Our work indicates that ED drugs may be beneficial for the heart. We should know that these drugs can reduce the risk of heart attack and increase the patient’s chances of surviving a heart attack if it happens.”

Medical control required

Sex is a physical load. This area should be under the supervision of a physician. When choosing drugs, the doctor is obliged to pay attention to the physical condition of a particular patient. There are no absolute contraindications for the use of ED drugs in cardiovascular diseases, even after a heart attack. However, it’s necessary to know what other medications the patient is taking. Those who take nitrates cannot use Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. But not all cardiac patients take nitrates. So, before taking any ED drugs after a heart attack, you need to consult a cardiologist.