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.
What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose
If you are taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, you are unlikely to miss a dose since this medication is taken as needed, not on a regular dosing schedule.
If you are taking sildenafil for PAH, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Does Viagra Work The First Time You Use It
Yes, for most people, Viagra works the first time its used. But for other people, it may take a few times of trying the drug to get the desired effect. Keep in mind that you shouldnt take Viagra more than once every 24 hours.
If Viagra doesnt seem to work for you, talk with your doctor. They may increase your dose of the drug or recommend that you try a different medication.
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Consider Penis Pumps For Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
For men who want an erectile dysfunction treatment that will not interfere with treatment for high blood pressure, a penis pump is an excellent option. It is an external treatment for ED that produces erections with a mechanical device. It does not interfere with any oral pills an individual is taking. Therefore, it can be used with anti-hypertensive medications without any additional risk.
Vacuum erection devices are highly effective non-drug treatments for erectile dysfunction. These easy-to-use devices provide strong erections for up to 30 minutes. They have an excellent safety record and are not associated with any of the side effects of Viagra and other oral ED drugs.
A penis pump does not have to be used in advance like ED medications and it can be incorporated into foreplay just prior to intercourse, allowing for more spontaneity. It is also a cost-effective ED therapy in the long run with few recurring costs. Penis pumps are useful for penile rehabilitation in men who have undergone prostate surgery. With regular use, these devices allow men to achieve more natural erections. If you are worried about interactions between Viagra and high blood pressure medications, consider a penis pump for erectile dysfunction treatment.
Can I Take High Blood Pressure Medications And Viagra Together
Probably the best-known treatment for ED is the little blue pill, Viagra or the generic unbranded form, Sildenafil, named after the active ingredient Sildenafil Citrate. Viagra, along with Cialis and Levitra, belongs to a group of drugs called Phosphodiesterase 5 or PDE5 inhibitors.
These work by blocking the activity of the enzyme PDE5, preventing it from disrupting the other enzymes that are busy bringing about the increased blood flow to your penis.
There are a number of medications used to treat high blood pressure, and generally these can be taken safely alongside Viagra. In fact, Viagra is used to treat pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels supplying the lungs.
Important note: Before taking Viagra, or another ED medication, alongside medication for high blood pressure, its important to discuss your situation with your prescriber. Youll need to provide full details of any existing health conditions and any medicines youre taking, to make sure that you get the right treatment.
Some high blood pressure medications, such as diuretics and beta-blockers, have been linked to an increased risk of ED. So if youre already experiencing ED, you may be prescribed another medication, such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or alpha-blockers, which have a lower risk of sexual side effects.
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/13those With Surgeries And Vital Organ Damage
Clinical studies conducted so far have observed that those with fatal complications can safely take their COVID vaccine, without suffering from side-effects. Dr Pandit agrees to the same and adds that people who have had cardiac problems in the past, suffered from heart attacks, renal failure or liver problems can tolerate the vaccine well with their drugs. Those on blood thinners should check the type of medication they are on, before administration.
Doctors do suggest that people who develop a heart attack in the week prior to the vaccination date skip the dose since they are still in recovery and the heavy medicinal doses may cause abject reactions.
If you are on a therapeutic drug used to support or treat the immune system, taking a vaccine after getting a go-ahead from the doctor will be a safer bet.
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Financial And Insurance Assistance
If you need financial support to pay for Viagra, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.
Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, offers a program that can help lower the cost of Viagra. For more information and to find out if youre eligible for support, call 855-842-4722 or visit the program website.
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What Is The Best Drink To Drink For High Blood Pressure
In addition to following a heart-healthy diet, some types of drinks may also be helpful when it comes to lowering your blood pressure. According to research, several types of fruit and vegetable juices, as well as skim milk and green tea, may help to control your blood pressure, without any side effects.
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.
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Does Alcohol Cause Side Effects
Alcohol doesnt have a serious reaction with Viagra so you can drink in moderation and use Viagra safely.
But, alcohol does make it more likely that you will get side effects from Viagra. Alcohol also makes it harder for you to get and keep erections, so drinking alcohol can make Viagra less effective.
You can find more information on our page about taking alcohol and Viagra at the same time.
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.
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Can I Take Viagra After Ive Had My Prostate Removed
Yes, you can if your doctor recommends it.
However, Viagra may be less effective in treating erectile dysfunction in men whove had their prostate removed than it is in men who havent.
Across several clinical studies, Viagra was effective in 43% of men whod had this surgery. And a placebo was effective in 15% of men whod had the surgery. In comparison, in studies of men with ED due to:
- complications from diabetes, 57% had improved erections with Viagra. This is compared with 10% of men who took a placebo.
- spinal cord injury, 83% had improved erections with Viagra. This is compared with 12% of men who took a placebo.
If you have questions about using Viagra after youve had your prostate removed, talk with your doctor.
What Is The Exact Relationship Between Viagra And Blood Sugar
paulthepilot said:Am also curious as to whether Viagra can cause a higher-than-normal blood sugar reading if all other factors are eliminated.Was taken by surprise when my morning fasting bs was 155 when it is normally 100 – 110 at this time of the morning.
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neptun2020 said:This connection has been proved by scientists, but nevertheless quite a few people know about it because the manufacturer is trying not to divulge this information. The fact is that the active substance in Viagra is very dangerous and causes not only severe headaches but also diabetes. Therefore, people with high sugar levels are not recommended to use Viagra because it can really kill them.
any nothing
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Cialis Effect On Blood Pressure
Because tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors have vasodilating effects meaning they open blood vessels they make it easier for blood to flow, which can lower blood pressure.
These decreases in blood pressure are typically temporary and unlikely to cause significant health issues in most patients.
A clinical study found that healthy men taking 20 mg of Cialis® versus a placebo experienced an average decrease of up to 1.6 Hg in systolic blood pressure and 0.8 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure when lying down, and 0.2 Hg in systolic blood pressure and 4.6 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure when standing.
For context, people may begin to feel negative effects after a sudden blood pressure drop of 20 mm Hg.
Tadalafil can more substantially lower pulmonary blood pressure, or the pressure of the blood flowing in your lungs, because of the lungs high concentration of PDE5.
As a result, tadalafil is sometimes used as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension or elevated blood pressure in the lungs under the brand name Adcirca®. It should be noted, though, that pulmonary blood pressure is different than systemic blood pressure.
While tadalafil by itself isnt likely to cause a dangerously low drop in systemic blood pressure in healthy men, there are certain medical conditions and drugs that can potentially heighten its hypotensive effects.
Erectile Dysfunction And High Blood Pressure: How Are They Linked
An erection is the result of a chain of chemical reactions in your body that begins when you become sexually aroused. Enzymes transmit signals to the blood vessels in your penis, causing them to relax and expand so that blood can flow in. As a result, your penis becomes firm and ready for sexual activity.
When you have high blood pressure, however, this puts a strain on your circulatory system. Over time, the lining of your blood vessels can be damaged and your arteries can harden and become narrow, restricting blood flow. This then prevents enough blood entering your penis to achieve a hard, lasting erection.
Research has found that men suffering from ED are 38% more likely to have high blood pressure, so theres a good chance that tackling your high blood pressure could help your erections too.
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What If I Cant Take Viagra
If you are not a candidate for phosphodiesterase inhibitors because of another prescription or an underlying condition with risk factors, you still have options. During your initial consultation for erectile dysfunction in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Kasraeian will discuss all of your available ED treatment options, which may include:
How does shockwave therapy for ED work?
Kasraeian Urology is proud to offer shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction without the use of drugs. A handheld probe is used to send low-intensity shockwaves directly into the penis. The energy from shockwave therapy stimulates new blood vessel growth to help improve erectile dysfunction. Each shockwave therapy session takes around 20 minutes and many patients notice improvement after a few treatments.
Can Viagra Cause Heart Attack
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is interrupted. Some of the most common symptoms of heart attack include chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath and pain or discomfort in the back, arms or shoulders.
In most cases, a heart attack is the result of atherosclerosis the narrowing of the arteries caused by the buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances.
In other words, the arteries supplying blood to the heart become closed off, cutting off blood flow to the heart.
Viagra is a vasodilator, meaning it helps open up blood vessels and arteries. That being said, there have been reports of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia and even death in men taking Viagra.
Some experts cite the results of a 2002 study to support the theory that heart attacks linked to Viagra were more likely related to the performance of sexual activity than to the use of the drug.
In this study, sildenafil had no effect on symptoms during exercise in men with stable coronary artery disease.
There is no conclusive evidence linking Viagra to heart attack, but men with existing heart conditions and those who are taking heart medications should avoid or exercise caution when taking erectile dysfunction drugs.
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What Causes Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, which is primarily characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse, has a number of potential causes. These may include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Previous treatment or surgery for prostate cancer and/or BPH
- Trauma
- Psychological factors
- Relationship/marital problems
In a great number of cases, erectile dysfunction is multifactorial, meaning there are several physical and/or psychological issues contributing to the patients symptoms.
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 .
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More Research Needed To Confirm Findings
We showed in 2017, in a paper in Heart, a longer life span for men with a recent MI who were taking PDE5i, said Holzmann in an interview with Healthline. There is one study on patients with diabetes with similar findings.
In addition, in the general population it has been found that men who use PDE5i have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, he continued.
Goyfman said the reduced risk of heart attack might be due to how this class of drug influences one particular risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
PDE5i are known to cause a decrease in systemic blood pressure, he said. And since high blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, it is theoretically possible that patients with PDE5i would have lower, or better controlled, blood pressures.
Although he cautioned, this is strictly hypothetical, and can only be verified by conducting a randomized controlled trial.
Until that occurs, this study is unlikely to change current medical practice, Goyfman concluded.