Want a healthy heart? Viagra might be the secret!

When the word "Viagra" crosses your mind, you might find yourself chuckling, associating it with its initial purpose of helping men with intimacy "issues".

However, a study conducted in 2022 suggests that this iconic little blue pill, which many men favor, could potentially play a significant role in promoting a longer and healthier life. Here's what you should be aware of regarding how Viagra may contribute to better heart health.

Published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the study from researchers at the University of Southern California found that PDE-5i— an enzyme inhibitor found in the body but more commonly known as Viagra or Cialis—can help reduce the risk of heart disease in men by up to 39%. 

Researchers also claimed that Viagra 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 [cardivascular 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.”

Unfortunately, the researchers didn't go into detail about why Viagra could be used to prevent heart disease, nor did they discuss the underlying mechanisms. Instead, they pointed to previous research on the topic to help explain their findings. 

This isn’t the first time that Viagra or its cousin drugs have been proven to be more helpful than just in the bedroom. 

In 1999, a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that Viagra could be used to help patients suffering from cardiovascular disease and looked specifically at the drug as a treatment for coronary artery disease. 

However, please remember that we are not medical professionals, and you should always consult your doctor before taking any new medications!