how does viagra help after a heart attack?

Answer 1

Cloudy - This is a very new concept, so we don't know yet if giving someone Viagra right after they've had a heart attack can be beneficial. Also, the way that we think it MIGHT help is very complicated, but basically it seems to reduce the amount of damage suffered by the heart muscle after its blood supply has been cut off and then restored (what we call ischemia/reperfusion injury).

In some animal studies (in rats and rabbits, for example), researchers have shown that after inducing a heart attack, animals that were given Viagra afterwards had better heart function and less scar formation as a result of the heart attack. This concept has NOT been proven in humans!!!

Despite what Candy says in her answer, at this point, we do NOT routinely give Viagra to people who have had heart attacks. While Viagra IS a vasodilator (which is how it helps in erectile dysfunction), that does not necessarily mean it will protect you from heart attacks. In fact, it can even be DANGEROUS when used in combination with nitrates - a class of drugs that is often prescribed for people with heart disease!

So don't go buying stock in Pfizer and don't go popping Viagra if you've just had a heart attack. In the past, many things that we thought would be beneficial have turned out not to be - or sometimes even turn out to be HARMFUL - after we do the appropriate studies.

Answer 2

Viagra helps to improve blood flow. Heart attack takes because of blockage and obstruction in blood flow. But generally doctors say that those who are suffering from heart problems should not take viagra. I am not sure about this heart attack and viagra. Consult a cardiologist before you act.

Answer 3

Viagra is a vaso dialator which means that the medicine makes your blood vessels more open causing blood to flow more easily throughout your body. If your blood is flowing good it doesn't sit still and clot. That is why Viagra is often perscribed to persons who have had a heart attack(s).

Answer 4

I believe that if you have had a heart attack........that you can not take Viagra....due to the meds you are on for the heart.
There is a warning on the package about that...
I would not take it at all unless you get an ok from your heart dr.
hope this helped.........♥

Answer 5

What is your age dear why you are thinking about viagra its for impotentents only to satisfy them self if you have crossed 50 just forget about sex take care ofyour family if necessary be with your wife only with confidence ok

Answer 6

not a good mix,,, i would vote no and a new study states blindness after heart attack and using viagra,,, i think no


http://www.drug-injury.com/druginjurycom/2006/01/viagra_cialis_a.html

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Answer 10

Do not take the erection-enhancing medicines sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), or tadalafil (Cialis) if you are taking nitrates. Combining these two drugs can cause a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. If you develop chest pain and have taken one of these erection-enhancing medications, be sure to tell your health professionals so that they do not attempt to treat you with nitroglycerin or another nitrate medicine.
Heart Disease Health Center
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Nitrates for heart attack and unstable angina
Examples
isosorbide dinitrate Dilatrate-SR Isordil Sorbitrate isosorbide mononitrate Imdur ISMO nitroglycerin Nitro-Bid Nitro-Dur Nitrolingual Nitrostat Transderm-Nitro

Nitrates are taken as a pill or a liquid sprayed under the tongue (sublingual). Skin patches or paste are also available. Nitrates may be injected into a vein in emergency situations, such as during a heart attack.

How to use nitroglycerin under the tongue

How It Works

Nitrates open up (dilate) the arteries to the heart, increasing blood flow, relieving chest pain (angina), and reducing the heart's workload.
Why It Is Used

Nitrates prevent and relieve angina. They may be used:

* During angina attacks.
* Before stressful activities that can cause angina (such as having sexual intercourse or walking up stairs or a hill).
* Over the long term to prevent angina that occurs during daily activities.
* In people who have had angioplasty or a stent placed, but who continue to have angina.

Spray and sublingual forms of nitroglycerin are available to relieve angina. Longer-acting pill or patch forms may be used for long-term prevention of chest pain during daily activities.
How Well It Works

Nitrates have been shown to relieve chest pain, but they may only slightly reduce the risk of death in people having a heart attack.1
Advantages and disadvantages of nitroglycerin

Advantages


Disadvantages

* Works quickly
* Easy to administer when given intravenously or in pill form under the tongue (sublingual)



* Effects wear off after 24 hours
* Often causes severe headaches

Side Effects

Side effects of nitrates may include:

* A feeling of pulsating fullness in the head (most common side effect) or headache.
* A drop in blood pressure, which can cause dizziness.
* A burning sensation under the tongue (with nitroglycerin that is placed under the tongue).

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About

Different nitrate preparations are often combined. Pills, patches, or paste may be used together with sublingual nitroglycerin to give maximum relief and prevent angina.

Some people develop a tolerance to nitrates if they use them constantly over a long period. Tolerance occurs when a medication loses its effectiveness and may not seem to work as well. A doctor may prescribe a daily schedule of using nitroglycerin 12 to 18 hours on and 6 to 12 hours off to prevent the development of tolerance.

Long-term nitroglycerin medication is often added to other medication (such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers) when a person is still having episodes of angina despite medication use.

Regardless of whether your chest pain was relieved with nitroglycerin, you should let your doctor know that you had an episode of angina. If this is unusual for you or if your angina episodes are occurring more frequently or lasting longer, or if you need more medicine to control them, tell your doctor.

If nitroglycerin is old, the tablets may not work well. Get a new prescription as soon as possible if your supply is past the expiration date. Usually you should replace your tablets every 3 to 6 months.

There are ways to tell whether your nitroglycerin is still effective. You should have a headache when you use it. Or if you use nitroglycerin under your tongue, you should feel a slight tingle or burn when you place it there. If you do not notice these signs, your nitroglycerin is probably old. In this case, contact your health professional to get a new prescription. Fill the prescription as soon as possible, and discard your out-of-date nitroglycerin.

Do not take the erection-enhancing medicines sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), or tadalafil (Cialis) if you are taking nitrates. Combining these two drugs can cause a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. If you develop chest pain and have taken one of these erection-enhancing medications, be sure to tell your health professionals so that they do not attempt to treat you with nitroglycerin or another nitrate medicine.

Do not take the pulmonary hypertension medication sildenafil (Revatio) if you are taking nitroglycerin or another nitrate medication.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1.

Danchin N, et al. (2003). Acute myocardial infarction. Clinical Evidence (10): 37–63.