In fact, the Viagra (sildenafil) was originally discovered through research that was meant to treat certain heart conditions.
According to Drugdatabase.com, Pfizer Inc., the makers of Viagra, originally looked to produce a drug to treat cardiovascular conditions, like angina, a heart condition where the vessels supplying the heart with blood become constricted.
Viagra proved to increase blood flow and open up restricted arteries. The drug also just happened to treat ED very effectively, which is also primarily caused by blood flow restrictions.
So, this latest study, though exciting in terms of preventative treatment of heart attack, does not present any big surprises. Conducted by the Centre for Cardiac Research at the University of Manchester, England, the study looked at 6,000 diabetic patients in Cheshire who had been taking Viagra.
Researchers found that despite diabetics being prone to heart problems, the study participants did not suffer as many incidents as similar patients who were not taking Viagra.
Funded by the British Heart Foundation, research Professor Andrew Trafford and his team, are now hoping to prove that the medication can also help prevent arrhythmias – abnormal heart rhythms.
Fun Facts About the Science Behind Viagra
Nobel Prize-winning pharmacologist, Louis Ignarro, is known as “the father of Viagra”. His research and discoveries actually won him and his research team the Nobel Prize in 1998. That prize was awarded to him and two of his colleagues for research regarding nitric oxide and its positive impact on blood vessels and circulation.
According to an article, in USC News, Ignarro’s award winning research discovered that nitric oxide, is a signaling molecule responsible for dilation of blood vessels within the body. Though the finding have numerous implications on cardiovascular health, like preventing stroke, hypertension and heart attack, it also provided significant help addressing and treating erectile dysfunction.
So basically, the discovery of Viagra’s ability to treat erectile dysfunction was discovered accidently, while focusing on treatments for heart conditions.
Could Viagra Return to Its Origins as a Possible Heart Medication?
Professor Trafford stated his hopes for the future of Viagra, “Heart failure is a devastating condition which means your heart is not pumping blood around your body as well as it used to. Our studies have shown that drugs normally used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, actually have a very pronounced effect in slowing the progression of heart failure as well as reducing the likelihood of fatal arrhythmias.”
How Did Viagra’s Focus Move from Heart to Penis?
Through clinical trials, researchers discovered that men who tested the drug had erections that lasted for days. At this same time, other teams of scientists were suggesting that erectile dysfunction was caused by narrowing of blood vessels and resulting in the inability of blood to flow quickly to the penis.
The connection was made; constricted blood vessels sounded was the same situation scientists were first trying to treat; angina. Suddenly, Viagra had a new purpose and Pfizer, the manufacturers of the drug, began to focus on where it appeared to have the greatest success rate at the time. Essentially it seemed to have a greater success rate with ED than it might with angina.
By 1998, Viagra (sildenafil) was approved by the FDA, not as a heart medication, but as an oral treatment for the condition.
The Correlation Between Heart Issues and ED
One of the first signs of an underlying heart condition in men is for them to develop ED. There are several causes for male impotence, but usually it can be a symptom of having a disorder that decrease your blood circulation, like a heart issue.
Why? Since an erection depends on strong blood flow to the penis, it can be a symptom of something more. This why if you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is wise to see your doctor to not only address it, but any condition that may be associated with it.
Heart attacks are caused essentially by something restricting blood flow within the heart. While male impotence can be caused by a variety of reasons, a common factor, particularly in males who are older, is reduced blood flow to the penis.
As a PDE5 inhibitor, Viagra relaxes the muscles, allowing the vessels to dilate and fill with blood. The result is improved blood flow that facilitates an erection once you become sexually aroused.
Viagra has been shown to work well for most men, regardless of age, even if you have had male impotence for several years. More in-depth research on how well it will work for those at risk for heart attack is underway.
The Popular Treatment Choice
Since its approval in 1998, Viagra remains the number one prescribed medication, taken by million, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. According to a report, it has changed the sex lives of countless people for the better, improving their quality of life and their relationships.
In clinical trials, Viagra has been shown to be effective for up to 80 percent of men and its safety and effectiveness have been well documented over the last 18 years. Since it is a proven treatment for male impotence, most health insurance plans will cover Viagra, which makes the medication more affordable.
An article from bizjournals.com, stated that worldwide revenue for the Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) drug hit $1.7 billion in 2014, even though the company lost patent protection in Europe, causing a 10 percent drop in sales from 2013 to 2014.
Viagra’s Current Benefits and Side Affects
As an oral medication, it could not be simpler or more convenient to use. Basically, you should take Viagra approximately 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. The effects can last for up to 4 hours. Some men even find that they can get more than one erection per dose.
Viagra can be taken in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. The typical initial dose is set at 50 mg, but your doctor can help you determine what the best dose for you might be.
The side effects of Viagra are generally mild and in many cases may disappear completely as you continue to use the drug. The most common side effects of the drug are back and muscle pain, dizziness, flushing, headache, indigestion, nausea, rash, and runny or stuffy nose.
Conclusion
Research has established that patients who receive Viagra or similar drugs for erectile dysfunction are also far less likely to then go on and die from a heart attack. It is possible that in the future Viagra will serve as a treatment for male impotence that not only improves lives, but also saves them.
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