VIAGRA® can cause hypotension, which is more commonly known as low blood pressure. This condition can reduce blood flow to the body’s vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, and liver. While people might think that lowering blood pressure is a good thing, because high blood pressure is unhealthy, when it gets too low, the individual is at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
VIAGRA® (a brand name of sildenafil citrate) increases blood flow to the penis to treat erectile dysfunction according to the United States Food & Drug Administration. The increased blood flow comes from the drug widening blood vessels, which allows more blood to follow through those veins and arteries. For this reason, some men aren’t healthy candidates when considering this medication to treat erectile dysfunction. However, they do have other options. GAINSWave® therapy and the P-Shot® are emerging technologies designed to treat erectile dysfunction at its source, without causing any severe side effects.
How VIAGRA® Can Affect the Heart
An article from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) shows that Viagra can affect the heart (also known as your cardiovascular system).
The Journal of Family & Community Medicine notes that men who are taking nitrate-based medicine shouldn’t take VIAGRA®.
Their study adds that men with the following conditions also shouldn’t take this drug:
- Hypotension. Abnormally low blood pressure, which is a reading below 90/60 mm Hg. Hypotension can cause a person to feel dizzy or faint. If the blood pressure drops suddenly or becomes extremely low, the situation can become life-threatening.
- Angina pectoris. With this condition, the patient feels severe chest pain. The discomfort can spread to the neck, shoulders, and arms. The pain is the result of insufficient blood flow to the heart.
- Postural hypotension. Also called orthostatic hypotension, this condition describes when a person’s blood pressure falls significantly because they stood up or sat down.
- Congestive heart failure. This condition exists when the heart can’t circulate enough blood to the body. Sometimes, the heart lacks sufficient force to push blood throughout the veins.
Men without these conditions may be given the green light to take VIAGRA® to enhance their sexual performance. However, it’s not uncommon for these patients to take this medication, yet still have issues relating to erectile dysfunction.
Lesser Side Effects Caused by VIAGRA®
For the most part, VIAGRA® doesn’t cause any life-threatening side effects; however, VIAGRA® can affect the heart. Adult Urology conducted a study involving 256 patients to study the side effects of VIAGRA®.
These results noted:
- 30.8% of men experienced facial flushing
- 25.4% of participants reported headaches
- 18.7% of men experienced nasal congestion
- 10.5% of participants reported heartburn
During the study, none of the men withdrew from the experiment or needed emergency intervention due to their symptoms.
Alternative Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
VIAGRA® doesn’t work for everyone. In fact, there’s no “one size fits all” remedy when it comes to treating symptoms relating to erectile dysfunction. However, two treatments are beginning to change the way researchers view men’s sexual health.
The P-Shot®
The P-Shot® uses biological material from a patient’s body to promote penile tissue growth and blood flow. This painless procedure is performed in-office and in under an hour. First, a caregiver will draw blood from the patient’s body and place it into a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Afterward, a numbing cream is applied to the penis, and several small shots are administered to various sites. There are little side effects associated with this treatment since the P-Shot® is created from the patient’s own body. Depending on the severity of one’s condition, the number of procedures may vary.
After receiving this therapy, some men have reported:
- An increase in penile width and girth
- Spontaneous erections
- Increased sexual stamina
- Stronger orgasms
- Increased sexual satisfaction
Only a medical professional can determine if a man is a viable candidate for this cutting-edge treatment.
GAINSWave® Therapy
GAINSWave® therapy uses high-frequency, low-intensity soundwaves to break down penile scar tissue and increase blood flow throughout the organ. This procedure is also pain-free and can be performed in under 30 minutes.
After receiving GAINSWave® therapy, some clients have reported:
- Increased libido
- Firmer erections
- Boost in confidence and self-esteem
- Longer sexual encounters
- More orgasms
Only a medical professional can administer this procedure.
While VIAGRA® is one of the leading treatment options for erectile dysfunction, it doesn’t work for everyone. Combined with its side effects, many men shy away from Viagra since it can affect the heart. That is where the P-Shot® and GAINSWave® therapy step in. For more information, contact one of these providers today.
