In addition to its action against erectile dysfunction, Viagra reduces the risk of vascular diseases by up to 39%.

When the pharmaceutical industry proposes to research a new drug, there is the intention of fighting a specific disease with such a creation. It happens, however, that in the middle of the way it can be discovered that the substance has the capacity to protect health not only against the pathology in question, but also against other diseases. Viagra is one such case. Created in 2001, it was originally intended to treat people with arterial and pulmonary hypertension. But, from one of its side effects, it was noticed that it was also effective in resolving many cases of erectile dysfunction – and thus it became one of the most famous and marketed remedies in the world. Even more benefits that this drug can provide to health have now been proven: it is capable of reducing, for example, the risk of a heart attack in men by 39%.

After ingestion and absorption, Viagra is transported to all parts of the organism through the bloodstream and, thus, the dilation of the body’s veins occurs and, consequently, the drop in blood pressure. Up to this point, everything is already known. This is what inhibits erectile dysfunction. The novelty now discovered is that, during the journey, the medicine causes a decrease in any stiffness of the arteries directly connected to the heart. This reduces inflammation in the walls of the arteries and the medication also reduces blood clotting. The three actions are interconnected and promote the well-being of the entire circulatory system, reducing the risk of the individual having serious cardiovascular episodes. In addition to the already mentioned heart attack, Viagra has action against cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s, which can arise in people who have a slow blood flow.

The research was carried out by the University of Southern California, USA, and published in the scientific journal Journal of Sexual Medicine. The researchers analyzed between 2006 and 2020 seventy thousand men who were, on average, 52 years old and were being treated for erectile dysfunction. Within this universe, almost twenty-seven thousand already used Viagra regularly. At the end of the work, the scientists established that at least three types of harm that affect the heart can be fought with Viagra. Heart failure (when the organ is not strong enough to pump blood) had a risk reduction of 17%. Patients who, due to poor circulation, would have to undergo a procedure called coronary revascularization, which means clearing arteries, had the requirement reduced by 15%. Episodes of cardiac angina, which is the occurrence of severe chest pain due to reduced blood in the heart, were eliminated in 22% of cases.

The scientists concluded that, overall, there was a 40% drop in cardiac complications. “Based on the results of the study, the initial indication for the drug and its potential against hypertension were confirmed”, says Fernando Costa, cardiologist at Beneficência Portuguesa in São Paulo. The doctor explains that the relaxation of the arteries causes the release of substances beneficial to the body. “The person using it for the treatment of erectile dysfunction will consequently have a reduction in dangerous cardiac events.”

The reading of this scientific work by lay people sounds like the definitive solution for the mentioned diseases that can affect our organism. The specialized medical look, however, is different – ​​and, above all, more trained to see unwanted effects and side effects. “This is an important study, but that does not mean that the drug should be taken without clinical approval”, emphasizes Sergio Timerman, director of the Center for Cardiac Arrest & Resuscitation at the Instituto do Coração. He teaches: all medications have side effects that can be harmful to the body. For this reason, he argues that technical assessments on Viagra should continue to be made; and that the habits of a healthy life continue to be the best rule of health protection.