Sexual activity plays a crucial role in the psychological health and quality of life scores in patients with cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, intimacy is frequently an issue in patient with cardiovascular disease. The causes of sexual dysfunction following myocardial infarction are multiple and include anxiety, depression, medication effect and vascular insufficiency. Regardless of the cause, the results can be devastating to relationships and the psyche.
There are three phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors currently available in the United States: sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis). For simplicity and because of its name recognition, I will use the trade name Viagra to represent all phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors even if the studies were completed using one of the other drugs. I do not endorse Viagra above any of the others. Viagra has been shown to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Viagra works by increasing the amount of nitric oxide available which enhances erectile function.
So can I take Viagra with my heart medications?
Viagra has been shown to be safe in stable cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Although many have looked, there has been no clear evidence that Viagra is associated with increased rate of heart attacks or cardiovascular events. When Viagra is combined with most blood pressure medicines, there is a small but real additive effect but no change in cardiovascular events.
However, when Viagra is combined with doxazosin and tamsulosin, two alpha-blocking medications often used to treat BPH (benign prostate hypertrophy) some patients develop low blood pressures. It is recommended that if these prostate medications are required, the smallest doses of each respective medication should be used. Patients already receiving Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension should not receive a second PDE5 for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
On the whole, Viagra can be considered safe with almost all of your cardiac medications. Unfortunately, the combination of Viagra with nitrates should never be considered safe. Together they can cause life threatening hypotension, also known as low blood pressure. Nitrates should not be taken within 24 hours of sildenafil or vardenafil and within 48 hours of tadalafil. I have included a short list of commonly prescribed nitrates to help you avoid them.
- Nitroglycerin
- Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets (Nitrostat)
- Sublingual nitroglycerin spray
- Nitro patch
- Nitro paste
- Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO)
- Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
Related articles
- Angina or some other chest pain (myheart.net/articles)
- Chest Pain – Part 2 – more chest pains (myheart.net/articles)
- Still more types of chest pain? (myheart.net/articles)
- How often should I have a stress test (myheart.net/articles)
Comments are purely for informational purposes and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Disclaimer
I had MI in 2004 and stent in June 2004, Feb 2012 and finally by pass surgery in 2012 july. I am on Prolomet R 50, Rose day 20mg and Clopilet A 150 mg.presently. Can I go for Viagra now? If so dosage pl.
My cabg done on Aug 2015,and i take this medicine 1.Tab.Lasix 40 mg, 2.Tab.Lisinopril 10mg, 3 .Tab.Atorvastatin 40mg. 4. Tab.Aspirin100mg. 5. Tab.Carvedilol 25mg. Please tell me can i use tab.Viagra 50mg
I had a triple bi pass 2 yrs now and never fell the same sense im 72, taking the regular meds can i take viagra? or is that part of getting old and excepting the fact.
In 2013 I had 4 bypass. I am also type 2 diabetes and would like to try using Viagra. is it safe?
Just at lease to fell like a man again hope that understand
Nice article on the use of sedenafil after CABG
I had my heart atack 2004 by past the same year is it ok fo me to take viagra
Should be answered by a cardiologist that can review your meds to ensure no interactions (i.e nitrates) and no unstable type cardiac symptoms.
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Is now 18 yrs since a open heart surgery and for the those 13yr passed have not been goin for checkups it was last yr when I went to see acordiolgy and gave me this sildenafil and furosemide is okey to take and the other thing am breastfeeding
Is it okey to take sildenafil and furosemide
Is it safe for me to viagra I have high blood pressure (under control) and and have had atrial fibrillation (my heart is back in rhythm after a cardioversion and moderate heart failure my medication daily is : ramipril 10mg furosemide 4omg eplerenone 25mg bisoprolol 5mg twice a day apixaban 5mg twice a day atorvastatom 2omg
Need to ask the prescribing physician.
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My sister is taking sildenafil for her atrial fibrillation. Is it safe?
Hi, this a wonderful blog as threre are many people who have disease. I hope this will be helpful to all people who have disease.
I had and stent in one artery in Sept 2019, since than I have erectile dysfunction. Can prescribe any medicine to perform normal sex life.