Viagra boosted the “protective effects” of the RGS2 protein

The medication Viagra has been shown to have a positive impact on the heart in recent research. Scientists claim that Viagra is able to boost the function of an important heart protein called RGS2. This particular protein is known to protect the heart against failure and heart attacks. The researchers who used mice in clinical laboratories saw that when they were bred to be RGS2 protein deficient their hearts were not able to protect themselves from high blood pressure, and this resulted in many of the mice dying from heart failure.

The mice that had normal levels of the RGS2 protein did not die from the effects of high blood pressure. A third group of mice who had normal levels of the RGS2 protein were given a small dose of Viagra and these mice had the healthiest hearts and were able to protect themselves the best from the effects of high blood pressure. The researchers noted that when Viagra was administered to the mice less stress related enzymes were produced. The researchers also noted that Viagra did not help the mice who were RGS2 deficient.

This is not the first occasion that Viagra has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the heart and with more research it is likely that this erectile dysfunction drug could end up being prescribed to people with heart problems.

Dr. David Kass who led the research said that it was clear that Viagra boosted the “protective effects” of the RGS2 protein but further research needed to be done before the drug could be prescribed to men and women that were at high risk from heart attacks caused by high blood pressure. The research is published in full in the respected Journal of Clinical Investigation.