These larger hearts are not stronger and they operate inefficiently

More research is being undertaken with the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra and it’s possible use in preventing both men and women from suffering from heart failure. It is already well known how the active ingredient of Viagra has a positive impact on widening arteries not only in the penile region but also around the hearts and lungs which helps those suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The new research hopes to see whether Viagra can have an impact on reducing heart disease which is one of the biggest causes of death in the western world. People suffering from heart disease gradually see their hearts losing strength and thus the ability to pump blood around body. What happens in this case is that the remaining muscles are put under strain and tend to grow abnormally causing a larger heart. These larger hearts are not stronger and they operate inefficiently and eventually cause heart attacks.

Pfizer have been active in sponsoring clinical trials along with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute where Viagra was used to treat patients with enlarged hearts and partial heart failure.  The scientists speculated that because Viagra inhibits phosphodiesterases which are responsible for breaking down the cyclic guanosine monophosphate which acts as a messenger for the body they could prevent the heart muscle cells from growing abnormally.

One of the researchers Professor Chen Yan of cardiology at the University of Rochester Medical Centre explained that the phosphodiesterases like Viagra along with other medications may “shut down abnormal cardiac growth”. Professor Yan also is conducting research to see how a whole range of different types of PDE inhibitors could be used to treat not only heart disease but also high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

The positive erectile enhancing effects of Viagra were first discovered during a failed clinical trial to treat patients suffering from Angina. The side effects which were not always reported by embarrassed men led to Viagra becoming one of the world’s best selling medications.