Viagra Can Help Cardiovascular Health in Men With Type 2 Diabetes

Viagra Can Help Cardiovascular Health in Men With Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is one of many risk factors associated with poor cardiovascular health – reports show diabetes patients are almost 50% more likely to develop heart disease. For men afflicted with type 2 diabetes and at high risk for heart attacks; however, relief might be found in an unlikely source – the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil).

Type 2 diabetes patients struggle with high blood glucose levels that can damage nerves and blood vessels, factors that could trigger heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular diseases. And, reports have shown “the association of erectile dysfunction with cardiovascular disease increases in the presence of type 2 diabetes."

According to Andrew Trafford, PhD, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Manchester in the US, prior studies have indicated that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) like Viagra could possess benefits for heart health. Trafford and team conducted a study to investigate the relationship between PDE5 inhibitors and the reduced risk of heart attack and mortality among men with erectile dysfunction and type 2 diabetes.

Trafford had commented in a news release, “Having diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease so any treatments that could reduce that risk are urgently needed, Erectile dysfunction treatments like Viagra are already licensed for use son, if clinical trials provide further evidence of a life-saving benefit, it might be possible to start treating people with this drug in the not too distant future.”

What are the main differences between Cialis and Viagra?

Cialis is the brand-name drug for tadalafil. It was FDA-approved in 2003 and is used to treat erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Cialis can be taken as needed before sexual activity or once daily with effects lasting up to 36 hours. Cialis reaches maximum levels in the body between 30 minutes and 6 hours after taking it. It can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

Viagra, also known by its generic name sildenafil, was approved by the FDA in 1998 and is a popular drug made by Pfizer to treat ED. Brand name Viagra is only indicated for erectile dysfunction. It is taken as needed before sexual activity with maximum levels of the drug reached within 30 minutes to 2 hours after taking it. Eating a high-fat meal with Viagra may reduce the absorption of the drug.