A widely known medical remedy for erectile dysfunction (ED) has shown promise in addressing a broader spectrum of health issues beyond penile health. According to a large study, men who take erectile dysfunction medication are less likely to experience heart failure, stroke and heart attack.
Medicines like Cialis and Viagra belong to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.
The study is consistent with a 2019 University of Manchester scientists study and one by their Harvard University counterparts.
The study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine stated that Viagra and its host of substitutes that contain a chemical compound known as PDE-5i could help individuals live a longer and healthier life.
The study suggests that ED pills including Viagra, Cialis and many other brands could potentially play a significant role in promoting a longer and healthier life.
The study however did not mention whether the other health benefits of PDE-5i outside sex are exclusive to men: but it stated that the medicines containing the chemical compound could reduce the risk of heart disease among other benefits.
Researchers also claimed that Viagra and its cohorts can actually help men lower their risk of early death from cardiovascular disease and overall mortality.
“In a large population of US men with ED, PDE-5i exposure was associated with lower incidence of [cardiovascular death] and overall mortality risk compared to non-exposure,” the researchers wrote. “Risk reduction correlated with PDE-5i exposure level,” the researchers added.
The study examined two groups of patients who had been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction between 2006 and 2020, looking specifically for those who suffered subsequent heart problems later in life.
Among the cohorts studied were 23,816 subjects who had taken Viagra or similar drugs, as well as another cohort of 48,682 that had never been exposed to the drugs.
After looking at both groups, researchers found that those who had taken Viagra to treat their erectile dysfunction were less likely to suffer from heart issues later in life.
The findings were adjusted to take into consideration several risk factors for heart disease, including a subject’s weight, height, and race.
A host of other variables like a person’s age, whether or not they smoked, and what types of medical issues they already suffered from were also included and controlled for in the study.
Overall, those who had taken Viagra to treat their erectile dysfunction also enjoyed a lower risk of dying from any heart-related illness as well as a significantly lower risk of dying from anything.
“Men with ED who were exposed to PDE-5is had a statistically significant lower risk of dying from any cause (overall mortality) by 25%,” the researchers wrote.
“…in addition,” the researchers added, men who took PDE-5is had “a 39% reduced risk of dying from CV causes… compared to men who were not exposed to PDE-5is during the same time period.”