March 9, 2004 — Men with mild to moderate forms of heart
failure may be able to safely use the drug Viagra to treat erectile
dysfunction, a new study shows.

Researchers found selected men with heart failure were able to
use the drug without dangerous side effects if they were not taking nitrates
(drugs commonly used to treat heart failure) and had no evidence of a lack of
blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle — commonly caused by narrowed heart
arteries.

Previous reports have shown that Viagra could trigger
potentially dangerous drops in blood pressure in these men. But this study
showed that although the drug caused a slight reduction in blood pressure in
this group of 35 men, no one experienced a dangerous drop in blood pressure or
other significant side effects while taking Viagra.

However, Viagra can cause significant decreases in blood
pressure in people taking nitrates and should not be taken by this group.

According to researchers, erectile dysfunction affects more
than half of all men aged 40 to 70 and is common among men with heart failure,
both are conditions that are linked to vascular problems. Heart failure is a
condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s
needs.

Despite the fact that ED is common among men with heart
failure, researchers say the effectiveness and safety of treatment of erectile
dysfunction has not been thoroughly studied.

Study Clears Some Viagra Fears

Researchers say initial reports of deaths associated with
Viagra use soon after the drug was released have caused physicians to hesitate
before prescribing the drug to patients with significant heart disease.

However, it is now known that the drug does not increase
heart-related deaths, say researcher Linda J. Webster, MScN, of the University
of Alberta, and generic viagra tab
.

In this study, researchers looked at the effects of treating ED
with Viagra in a carefully selected group of 35 men with mild to moderate heart
failure who did not use nitates. The men were randomly divided into two groups:
one took Viagra for six weeks and then switched to a placebo for six weeks, and
the other took a placebo for six weeks and then took Viagra for another six
weeks.

The results appear in the March 8 issue of the Archives of
Internal Medicine.

The study showed that Viagra caused an average drop in blood
pressure of about 6 mm Hg — an buy canada in viagra
drop that did not lead to
symptoms.

Researchers found Viagra improved ED and quality of life among
this group, and also appeared to reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction pill
.

“This study provides new evidence that it is safe and
effective to treat men with ED and moderate heart failure with erectile dysfunction tabs
,”
they write.