Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsViagra and the HeartPossible RisksPossible BenefitsED and Heart DiseaseDrug InteractionsContraindicationsNon-Drug Treatments

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Viagra and the Heart

Possible Risks

Possible Benefits

ED and Heart Disease

Drug Interactions

Contraindications

Non-Drug Treatments

The drug Viagra (sildenafil) used to treaterectile dysfunction (ED)can affect blood pressure, but it is extremely rare for it to cause a major cardiovascular event like a heart attack. For most people with heart disease, Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs likeCialis (tadalafil)and Levitra (vardenafil) can be taken safely.

Even so, you may need to avoid Viagra if you have had a recent heart attack or stroke, haveunstable angina, or are taking organic nitrates likenitroglycerinfor the management of angina.

This article explores the safety of Viagra in people with heart disease as well as situations when Viagra may be contraindicated for use. It also offers tips on other ways to manage ED, including lifestyle changes and medical devices.

Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

A blister pack of Viagra pills.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

How Viagra Affects Heart Health

With Viagra, not only are blood vessels of thepenisaffected but so, too, are blood vessels throughout the body. The dilation of these vessels causes a drop in the overall blood pressure.

Which Erectile Dysfunction Drug Works Best?

Possible Risks of Viagra

Viagra is largely regarded as safe when used as directed, but, as with all drugs, there are risks associated with its use.

While rare, the following have been reported:

WarningAs a general rule, Viagra or any other PDE5 inhibitor should not be taken if you have been advised not to have sex due to a cardiovascular condition.

Warning

As a general rule, Viagra or any other PDE5 inhibitor should not be taken if you have been advised not to have sex due to a cardiovascular condition.

Benefits of Viagra

In 2005, the FDA approved the drug Revalto for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Revalto contains the same active ingredient as Viagra (sildenafil) but at a smaller dose. When taken as prescribed, Revalto can improve the ability to exercise and delay worsening symptoms in people with pulmonary hypertension.

In fact, studies have shown thatcardiovascular diseases (CVD)account for 70% of erectile dysfunction cases. Chief among these are:

Of these, atherosclerosis accounts for 50% to 60% of ED cases in people over 60.

Risk factors for ED and CVD largely mirror each other. These includehigh cholesterol,diabetes,obesity, andsmoking.

Viagra can interact with certain drugs in different ways.

Advise your healthcare provider if you take any of the following drugs with Viagra:

Who Shouldn’t Take Viagra?

Based on the current understanding of the risks of cardiovascular complications of Viagra—including heart attacks—Viagra should never be used if you:

Viagra should be used with caution if you have conditions like:

Non-Drug Treatment Options for ED

If you can take Viagra because of a serious heart condition or are taking a medication that can interact with Viagra, you can pursue other non-drug treatments to achieve and maintain an erection:

Are My Medications Causing ED?Many medications can cause or contribute to ED, including antihistamines, antidepressants, H2 blockers like Pepcid (famotidine), and Parkinson’s disease medications.Let your doctor know about any drugs you take (including over-the-counter and recreational drugs) to see if they may be behind your ED.

Are My Medications Causing ED?

Many medications can cause or contribute to ED, including antihistamines, antidepressants, H2 blockers like Pepcid (famotidine), and Parkinson’s disease medications.Let your doctor know about any drugs you take (including over-the-counter and recreational drugs) to see if they may be behind your ED.

Many medications can cause or contribute to ED, including antihistamines, antidepressants, H2 blockers like Pepcid (famotidine), and Parkinson’s disease medications.

Let your doctor know about any drugs you take (including over-the-counter and recreational drugs) to see if they may be behind your ED.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Summary

Even so, you should not take Viagra if you have had a heart attack or stroke in the past six months, if you have unstable angina, or if you use organic nitrates to manage angina. In such cases, the risk of a severe cardiovascular event may be increased.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pfizer.Viagra (sildenafil citrate) tablets.Al Ibrahim AH, Ghallab KQ, Alhumaid FI, et al.A systematic review of sildenafil mortality through the years.Cureus.2022 Dec;14(12):e32179. doi:10.7759/cureus.32179National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.Pfizer.Revalto (sildenafil) tablets, for oral use.Ibrahim A, Ali M, Kiernan TJ, et al.Erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease.Eur Cardiol. 2018;13(2):98-103. doi:10.15420/ecr.2017.21.3Ibrahim A, Ali M, Kiernan TJ, et al.Erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease.Eur Cardiol. 2018;13(2):98-103. doi:10.15420/ecr.2017.21.3.Duca, Y.  Calogero, A. Cannarella, et al.Erectile dysfunction, physical activity and physical exercise: recommendations for clinical practice.Andrologia.2019 June ;51(5). doi.org/10.1111/and.13264Verze P, Margreiter M, Esposito K, Montorsi P, Mulhall J.The link between cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review.Eur Urol Foc.2015;1(1),39-46. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2015.01.003MedlinePlus.Drugs that may cause erection problems.Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pfizer.Viagra (sildenafil citrate) tablets.Al Ibrahim AH, Ghallab KQ, Alhumaid FI, et al.A systematic review of sildenafil mortality through the years.Cureus.2022 Dec;14(12):e32179. doi:10.7759/cureus.32179National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.Pfizer.Revalto (sildenafil) tablets, for oral use.Ibrahim A, Ali M, Kiernan TJ, et al.Erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease.Eur Cardiol. 2018;13(2):98-103. doi:10.15420/ecr.2017.21.3Ibrahim A, Ali M, Kiernan TJ, et al.Erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease.Eur Cardiol. 2018;13(2):98-103. doi:10.15420/ecr.2017.21.3.Duca, Y.  Calogero, A. Cannarella, et al.Erectile dysfunction, physical activity and physical exercise: recommendations for clinical practice.Andrologia.2019 June ;51(5). doi.org/10.1111/and.13264Verze P, Margreiter M, Esposito K, Montorsi P, Mulhall J.The link between cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review.Eur Urol Foc.2015;1(1),39-46. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2015.01.003MedlinePlus.Drugs that may cause erection problems.Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Pfizer.Viagra (sildenafil citrate) tablets.Al Ibrahim AH, Ghallab KQ, Alhumaid FI, et al.A systematic review of sildenafil mortality through the years.Cureus.2022 Dec;14(12):e32179. doi:10.7759/cureus.32179National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.Pfizer.Revalto (sildenafil) tablets, for oral use.Ibrahim A, Ali M, Kiernan TJ, et al.Erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease.Eur Cardiol. 2018;13(2):98-103. doi:10.15420/ecr.2017.21.3Ibrahim A, Ali M, Kiernan TJ, et al.Erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease.Eur Cardiol. 2018;13(2):98-103. doi:10.15420/ecr.2017.21.3.Duca, Y.  Calogero, A. Cannarella, et al.Erectile dysfunction, physical activity and physical exercise: recommendations for clinical practice.Andrologia.2019 June ;51(5). doi.org/10.1111/and.13264Verze P, Margreiter M, Esposito K, Montorsi P, Mulhall J.The link between cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review.Eur Urol Foc.2015;1(1),39-46. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2015.01.003MedlinePlus.Drugs that may cause erection problems.Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004

Pfizer.Viagra (sildenafil citrate) tablets.

Al Ibrahim AH, Ghallab KQ, Alhumaid FI, et al.A systematic review of sildenafil mortality through the years.Cureus.2022 Dec;14(12):e32179. doi:10.7759/cureus.32179

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.

Pfizer.Revalto (sildenafil) tablets, for oral use.

Ibrahim A, Ali M, Kiernan TJ, et al.Erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease.Eur Cardiol. 2018;13(2):98-103. doi:10.15420/ecr.2017.21.3

Ibrahim A, Ali M, Kiernan TJ, et al.Erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease.Eur Cardiol. 2018;13(2):98-103. doi:10.15420/ecr.2017.21.3.

Duca, Y.  Calogero, A. Cannarella, et al.Erectile dysfunction, physical activity and physical exercise: recommendations for clinical practice.Andrologia.2019 June ;51(5). doi.org/10.1111/and.13264

Verze P, Margreiter M, Esposito K, Montorsi P, Mulhall J.The link between cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review.Eur Urol Foc.2015;1(1),39-46. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2015.01.003

MedlinePlus.Drugs that may cause erection problems.

Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004

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