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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Can Viagra cause Heart Attack
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Can Viagra cause Heart Attack
by Linh__0, Oct 15, 1998 12:00AM
Hi, I was just wondering have their been any studies done on the side effect of Viagra? Of course, the side effect being Heart Attack. How much of this drug is needed to cause this side effect. If you have any information on how Viagra effects the heart, can you include it in your reply. If you have any site that have this information, it would be really appreciated..
Thanx
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD APS, Oct 15, 1998 12:00AM
_
Dear Linh,
Viagra has been found to cause angina and potential be the stimulant of heart
attacks in those heart patients on nitrate like substances (nitropatch,
isordil, and the like.) The Viagra itself will cause changes in the flow of blood
throughout the body (it is "vasoactive"), and the same goes for any nitrate type
substance. Thus when they are taken together the synergistic effect so to speak
is too much on the heart of the patient. In a way, the effect of the viagra almost
steals blood from the hearts of those patients who are dependent on nitrates. This
is the reason why Viagra is not to be prescribed to those on nitrates. This problem or
side effect of the drug (best termed a drug-drug interaction) was not really noted until
after the drug was approved by the FDA, however the company that makes the drug and
the cardiology and urology worlds are very aware and are actively meeting to set
guidelines for physicians everywhere.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general medical informational purposes
only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnosis and therapies.
Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire
online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your problem.
