Tell The Doctor About All Medical Conditions And Medications
When a licensed healthcare provider is performing an in-person physical examination, make sure that person is informed about all current and previous medical conditions. The most important conditions they need to know about are:
- Heart problems
- A history of prolonged erections
- Any history of alcohol abuse
- All medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and remedies being taken
What Does Male Enhancement Pills Do
Male enhancement pills are what they sound like. Today, male enhancement pills are often referred to as dietary supplements by their labels. The purpose of these products is to increase blood flow to the penis so that erections can last longer. In addition, they are said to boost arousal, stamina, and performance.
Viagra And Blood Pressure
Viagra and similar drugs were originally invented to lower blood pressure in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension, or high blood pressure in the lungs arteries. In fact, Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, also markets another sildenafil drug called Revatio that is only used to treat pulmonary hypertension. Because Viagra lowers blood pressure, it can cause problems if blood pressure falls too far. At its mildest, low blood pressure can cause many of the common side effects of Viagra such as fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness when standing, accidental falls, or accidental injuries. Clinically significant low blood pressure, however, has only been reported when people have taken Viagra along with other blood pressure medications, particularly alpha blockers.
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Sildenafil May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- headache
- erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours
- itching or burning during urination
- rash
Some patients experienced a sudden loss of some or all of their vision after they took sildenafil or other medications that are similar to sildenafil. The vision loss was permanent in some cases. It is not known if the vision loss was caused by the medication. If you experience a sudden loss of vision while you are taking sildenafil, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of sildenafil or similar medications such as tadalafil or vardenafil until you talk to your doctor.
There have been reports of heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, bleeding in the brain or lungs, high blood pressure, and sudden death in men who took sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. Most, but not all, of these people had heart problems before taking sildenafil. It is not known whether these events were caused by sildenafil, sexual activity, heart disease, or a combination of these and other causes.Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking sildenafil.
Sildenafil may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
Can Oral Ed Drugs Improve Sexual Satisfaction
Besides the fact that there are men suffering from high blood pressure, and other conditions, who should not take Viagra due to their health, or the drugs side effects, there is also a common misconception about how these drugs work.
Viagra and related oral ED medications can help a man get an erection. However, they do nothing to increase sensitivity, sexual satisfaction, or increase penis size.
In fact, a recent study of sexual satisfaction conducted in the UK found that while men between 55 and 87 who had used Viagra and similar drugs reported higher levels of sexual activity than men without an ED issue, they also were more likely to be dissatisfied with their sex lives. This basically means that just being able to perform more often, does not necessarily mean you are engaging in better, or more satisfying sex.
Having hypertension, in general, does not mean the patient cannot take PDE5 inhibitors if the patient has good blood pressure control. There is no contraindication for these medications. However, if the patient is taking nitrates or calcium channel blockers with controlled or low blood pressure, there is an absolute contraindication. Feel free to contact us today, and ask about some of the latest drug-free treatments for ED we have available.
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Angiotensin Ii Receptor Blockers And Erectile Dysfunction
Studies have shown that angiotensin receptor blockers either have no significant negative effects or in some cases, beneficial effects on erectile function.
ARBs are a group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. These medications work by blocking the action of a chemical which narrows the blood vessels. As a result, blood vessels widen, increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure. In some people, this effect also improves erectile function.
Some common ARBs taken for high blood pressure include:
- Edarbi
- Diovan
Does Tadalafil Lower Blood Pressure Heres What It Does
Can tadalafil lower blood pressure? Well, for those currently taking tadalafil, or those who might be prescribed it, its helpful to know exactly what it treats.
In this article, we will outline what tadalafil targets in its treatment, how it works, and what effect it could have on blood pressure.
Does tadalafil lower blood pressure? PH or PAH are two types of high blood pressure, and tadalafil lowers blood pressure for these conditions. Tadalafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction, PH, and PAH.
Before getting further into the topic, its a good idea to get an overview of what tadalafil is and how it works.
This will provide a better understanding of how it does or doesnt lower blood pressure.
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How Does Viagra Effect Blood Pressure
If you listen carefully to the long list of side-effects and warnings given at the end of those TV commercials for Viagra, or the related drugs Levitra and Cialis, you may have heard something to the effect of, may cause a serious or unsafe drop in blood pressure, particularly in men already taking certain medication for hypertension. This is because high blood pressure interferes with normal erectile function. So, one of the mechanisms of action of Viagra and the related PDE5 inhibitors is to lower blood pressure. That may not be a problem in most men, and may not even be a problem for men with high blood pressure, who are not taking medications. However, if you are already taking a blood pressure-lowering drug, taking Viagra on top of that can cause your blood pressure to drop dramatically, to a point where it is too low for your heart to pump normally leading to cardiac arrest.
Blood Pressure Medications That May Increase The Risk Of Ed
One reason erectile dysfunction becomes more common with age is that older men are more likely to be on medication, and ED is often a side effect of many common drugs. In fact, it’s been estimated that 25% of all ED is caused by medication.
The following drug classes have been linked to increased risk of ED. If you have concerns about medications you are taking, talk with your healthcare provider about other options available to you. You should never start or stop a blood pressure medication without medical supervision.
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How Viagra Can Affect The Heart
An article from the American Association of Retired Persons shows that Viagra can affect the heart .
The Journal of Family & Community Medicine notes that men who are taking nitrate-based medicine shouldnt take VIAGRA®.
Their study adds that men with the following conditions also shouldnt take this drug:
- Hypotension. Abnormally low blood pressure, which is a reading below 90/60 mm Hg. Hypotension can cause a person to feel dizzy or faint. If the blood pressure drops suddenly or becomes extremely low, the situation can become life-threatening.
- Angina pectoris. With this condition, the patient feels severe chest pain. The discomfort can spread to the neck, shoulders, and arms. The pain is the result of insufficient blood flow to the heart.
- Postural hypotension. Also called orthostatic hypotension, this condition describes when a persons blood pressure falls significantly because they stood up or sat down.
- Congestive heart failure. This condition exists when the heart cant circulate enough blood to the body. Sometimes, the heart lacks sufficient force to push blood throughout the veins.
Men without these conditions may be given the green light to take VIAGRA® to enhance their sexual performance. However, its not uncommon for these patients to take this medication, yet still have issues relating to erectile dysfunction.
How Long Do Side Effects Last
Most of Viagras commonly experienced side effects are temporary. Sildenafil has a half-life of about four hours, so headache, nausea, stomach upset, and similar unpleasant side effects should go away in about 4-12 hours.
Other side effects, such as painful or prolonged erections, loss of hearing, vision changes, severe allergic reactions, stroke, and cardiovascular events will require immediate medical attention. They all have the potential for causing chronic and even lifelong complications. Vision loss due to NAIONwill be permanent.
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Heart Palpitations Are A Rare Side Effect Of Viagra
Dear Dr. Roach: I am a healthy male, age 66, nonsmoker, not overweight, who takes no medications. At my most recent annual physical, I mentioned to my physician that I was having symptoms of erectile dysfunction and wondered if that was typical for a man my age or if it could be due to low testosterone. He ordered normal blood tests as well as a testosterone test. All my numbers were in the normal range. My blood pressure runs a little high, but he said that as long as I kept it under 140/90 he wouldn’t put me on blood pressure medication.
He prescribed sildenafil , and I have taken it three times. The first dose was 60 mg. The subsequent doses have been 20 mg , which works as expected, except for one thing: About 30 minutes after taking it, my heart starts beating hard and fast. This happens off and on for several hours as the medication works through my system. This is mentioned as a “rare” side effect . Should I be concerned about this? It is a little scary to feel my heart beating so hard while relaxing in front of the TV, but it does eventually go away. Also, I am a little concerned about talking to my doctor about it because we don’t really know each other very well yet. Any thoughts? M.
Dear M.: My most important advice is that you should certainly discuss this with your doctor. It’s important, and you will get to know your new doctor more quickly by discussing something important like this.
Brown rice tends to have more arsenic than white.
What Medications Can You Not Take With Viagra
Patients who are taking nitrates, alpha-blockers, and other classes of drugs are not eligible to take certain erectile dysfunction medications, including Viagra, Cialis, and others. Mixing these medications can actually lead to a life-threatening or even fatally low blood pressure level. Keep in mind that nitrates and alpha-blockers are not the only medications that should not be combined with Viagra and other ED drugs. Before beginning any new prescription for ED, Dr. Kasraeian will thoroughly evaluate your health history, current list of medications, and other factors to determine the safest and most appropriate course of treatment for you.
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How Do Oral Erectile Dysfunction Treatments Interfere With Hypertension Treatment
PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Staxyn are often the first choice of treatment for erectile dysfunction. These oral medications all have a similar mechanism of action. They do not increase sexual desire, but they make it possible for a man to achieve an erection when aroused.
Following sexual stimulation, these drugs cause relaxation of smooth muscles and vasodilation in the corpus cavernosum of the penis. This leads to an increase in blood flow to the penis. Engorgement of the penis with blood produces a strong erection.
Although they are an effective and convenient treatment for erectile dysfunction, PDE5 inhibitors are associated with several side effects. Viagra side effects include serious complications such as prolonged erections, sudden hearing loss, and sudden loss of vision. In addition, the use of sildenafil and other PDE5i is contraindicated in patients who take nitrates, a class of drugs frequently prescribed for chest pain . The combination of sildenafil and nitrate drugs can lead to a potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
Does Viagra lower blood pressure? Studies show that ingredients in Viagra do indeed lead to a lowering of blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic . In fact, sildenafil citrate was first developed by a British scientist as a treatment for high blood pressure. It was only when researchers noticed an interesting side effect, an increase in erections, that the drug was marketed as an ED medication.
Can High Blood Pressure Cause Ed
One of the most common causes of ED is poor blood flow to the penis, which makes it difficult or even impossible for the patient to achieve reliable and satisfactory erections. Because high blood pressure narrows blood vessels and restricts blood flow, it can certainly be a contributing factor to a patients erectile dysfunction.
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How Long Does It Last
On average, Viagra lasts between 2 and 3 hours before its effects start to diminish. Viagra can last up to 5 hours or longer depending on your dosage, your bodys metabolism, and other external factors.
Depending on how your body metabolizes it, you may be able to get an erection several times with Viagra in your system. Viagra probably wont make you last longer in bed, though. No research has proven definitively that Viagra can increase how long you can have sex.
Viagra may not work again immediately after youve had sex. Normally, you cant get another erection right after ejaculating because your body isnt physically prepared for it.
This is known as the refractory period. It may only last a few minutes, but it can last as long as a few hours or days. However, a
Effect Of Regular Sildenafil On Blood Pressure And Arterial Function In Hypertension
| The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
| First Posted : April 24, 2006Last Update Posted : April 24, 2006 |
| Phase 2 |
Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 , such as sildenafil, relax blood vessels. In the penis this facilitates erection and sildenafil has proved a very effective treatment for male erectile dysfunction.
The study will be performed in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind, 2-way crossover manner. Sildenafil and matched placebo will each will taken three times daily for 2 weeks, with a washout of at least 6 days between treatments. Measurements will be made acutely of heart rate, blood pressure, pulse wave analysis , pulse wave velocity and flow-mediated dilatation . These measurements will be repeated 2 weeks later . In addition, ambulatory blood pressure will be recorded after 2 weeks of treatment .
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How Long Does It Take To Leave My System
Viagra usually leaves your system after 2 to 3 hours. Depending on your metabolism, Viagra can take 5 to 6 hours to fully leave your system.
A higher dosage will take longer to leave your body. A 25-mg dose may wear off after a couple of hours, but a 100-mg dose may take nearly four times as long to leave your system.
Viagra Blunts Effects Of Stress On The Human Heart
Johns Hopkins MedicineOctober 24, 2005
VIAGRA BLUNTS EFFECTS OF STRESS ON THE HUMAN HEART
Sildenafil citrate , a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in millions of men, reduces the stimulatory effects of hormonal stress on the heart by half, according to results of a new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins. While sildenafil is more widely known for helping genital blood vessels expand to maintain an erection and, more recently, as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension, it has been thought to have little direct effect on the human heart.
In the heart, sildenafil blunts the strengthened heartbeat caused by chemically induced stress, thereby lessening the excess amount of blood and force used to pump it to the body, according to study senior author and cardiologist David Kass, M.D., a professor at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and its Heart Institute.
Sildenafil effectively puts a brake on chemical stimulation of the heart, says Kass.
The researchers findings, which appear in the journal Circulation online Oct. 24, are believed to be the first confirmation in humans that sildenafil has a direct effect on the heart. Previous research by Kass and his team showed that sildenafil had such effects in mice, blocking the short-term effects of hormonal stress in the heart. Related studies by the group also showed that sildenafil prevents and reverses the long-term effects in the heart from chronic high blood pressure.
– JHM –
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Common Side Effects Of Oral Ed Drugs
Even men without hypertension, may not want to take Viagra or the other well-known oral ED medications, because they have a variety of unwelcome side effects. All of the popular oral ED medications are what are known as PDE5 inhibitors, and therefore work basically the same, with pretty much the same possible side effects.
The most common side effect is a headache, which occurs in about 16% of users of PDE5 inhibitors. Other reactions include flushing, upset stomach, nasal congestion, and urinary tract infections.
Rarer but reported side effects include vision problems such as blurred vision and sensitivity to light. However, men with retinitis pigmentosa , a degenerative eye disease, should be very cautious about using these medications. In such men that already have RP, Viagra use has been linked to total blindness.
Sudden hearing loss is another rare, but a documented side effect of these drugs. And, as stated earlier, men with diabetes, high blood pressure, or taking nitrates for heart disease should avoid PDE5 inhibitors entirely.