Viagra's Effects on the Heart

CHICAGO - A study that had patients bicycling on their backs to simulate the rigors of sex suggests that many men with heart disease can safely take Viagra.

Fears about the effects of the impotence drug on heart patients have been stirred by reports of more than 100 heart attacks and deaths among users.

The latest study bolsters previous research showing that Viagra is unlikely to cause problems in heart patients who do not have severe disease and are not taking nitrate drugs. In 1999, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology said Viagra should not be used by the estimated 5.5 million U.S. heart patients taking nitrates for angina, or chest pain, because of the risk of a dangerous drop in blood pressure. The organizations also recommended caution in prescribing Viagra for patients whose heart disease include ischemia, or insufficient oxygen to the heart.

The study had 105 men aged 66 on average perform the exercise test twice, at least a day apart: once after taking Viagra and again after taking a dummy pill.

Most men developed ischemia during both tests, but Viagra did not increase the risk of ischemia, it did not worsen it and the condition was not severe or harmful, said Dr. Patricia Pellikka, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist.

Viagra "had no adverse effect on symptoms or how long the men were able to exercise," she said.

Source: thirdage.com