The Warning
A recent Swedish study reveals a concerning health implication for middle-aged and older men with cardiovascular conditions who take phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), such as Viagra, together with nitrate-based chest pain medication.
Why It Matters
The combination of erectile dysfunction drugs and nitrates, both of which can induce low blood pressure, may heighten the risk of adverse health outcomes for cardiovascular patients. With little existing real-world research on such drug interactions to draw from, the growing practice of concurrent prescriptions warrants caution.
The Research Details
Using data from the Swedish Patient Register, researchers looked into the synergy between PDE5i treatments and cardiovascular outcomes in men concurrently taking nitrates. The study aimed to provide clarity given contradictory past data regarding impacts on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Expert Insight
Karolinska Institute’s Prof. Daniel Peter Andersson emphasizes the care that must be taken when prescribing ED medication to those with heart problems. Complementary editorial remarks from Dr. Glenn Levine highlight that PDE5i may be safe in specific scenarios, excluding chronic nitrate therapy patients for whom the treatment remains advised against.
The Study Findings
The 61,487 consecutive participants were men with histories of myocardial infarction or heart procedures, all previously treated with nitrates. Results indicate a higher risk for all monitored health outcomes, including all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events when PDE5i was combined with nitrates, though immediate risk appeared low post the administration of the latter treatment.
Caveats and Conclusions
The study could not ascertain patient adherence to prescribed medications, thereby limiting the inferred causality. The focus on an already high-risk group may limit the results’ broad applicability. Nevertheless, therapeutic caution is advised, urging deeper research and critical patient consultation prior to prescribing ED drugs to this patient subset.
Expert Advice
Despite the benefits of PDE5i as a commonly used and efficient ED treatment, men with heart conditions are encouraged to thoroughly discuss underlying health issues and current medications with their healthcare providers prior to consumption.
Related Interests
Health, medicine, heart conditions, men’s health, and scientific research continue being at the forefront of medical attention and exploration.
This story was first published on jpost.com.