Is Viagra bad for your heart?
Viagra is not thought to cause heart attacks and is considered safe for most people, according to the American Heart Association. However, it should not be taken by people using nitrate medications for chest pain, as this combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Research suggests that men taking Viagra and similar medications may actually experience reduced risks of death and cardiovascular disease, though this benefit does not apply to those on concurrent nitrate therapy.
Key points:
- Viagra works by dilating blood vessels and is not associated with causing heart attacks in the general population
- The combination of Viagra with nitrate medications is contraindicated due to risk of severe blood pressure drops
- Men with heart disease taking Viagra without nitrates show reduced mortality and cardiovascular event rates in large studies
- Minor side effects like headache and dizziness are typical, and anyone with severe cardiovascular disease should consult a healthcare professional before use
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by Sorin Romaniuc, Pharmacist at medino.