Viagra found to have potential as heart disease treatment

Blockbuster erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) could be used as a safe treatment for heart disease, finds new research published in the open access journal BMC Medicine. The study reveals that long-term daily treatment of Viagra can provide protection for the heart at different stages of heart disease, with few side effects.

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i) is the main ingredient in Viagra and other drugs commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction. The inhibitor blocks the enzyme PDE5, which prevents relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. The presence of PDE5 in the heart has led to previous research on whether the inhibitor could treat non-urological conditions. But despite some promising results, the studies were largely based on animals and the cardioprotective effects of PDE5i remained unclear.

Sildenafil previously failed in hypertension and angina