Viagra may prevent heart attack in men: Study

We all know viagra is a boon for people struggling with erectile dysfunction. However, a new study has revealed that the drug can also help men live longer. Yes, you read that right.

Viagra is a form of PDE5 inhibitor, which is taken orally and inhibits the enzyme PDE5 or phosphodieterase5 in the male genitalia resulting in an erection. The drug was earlier known to decrease blood pressure and wasn't recommended to men with coronary artery disease.

A new study in 2017 by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that men who have had heart attacks in the past could easily tolerate PDE5 inhibitors with hints that it prolonged life expectancy.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology analysed 18,500 men with stable coronary artery disease who were being treated for impotence. Out of these, 16,500 were on Viagra and 2,000 were receiving alprostadil, another drug to treat erectile dysfunction but administered through a syringe.

The study showed that men who regularly consumed viagra lived longer with a lower risk of heart attack, heart failure, balloon dilation and bypass surgery compared to those who were put on alprostadil.

This suggests that it is possible that those who received PDE5 inhibitors were healthier than those on alprostadil and therefore had a lower risk. However, more research is needed to confirm the findings of the study.