Overview
Sildenafil, sold under the brand name Viagra, has been around for more than 20 years, and it has completely redefined the pharmaceutical industry’s approach toward sexual health disorders. Viagra has dominated the sexual health market since it was approved by the FDA, but Sildenafil and Viagra would have never been possible if not for an accidental discovery while studying the effects of sildenafil on the body.
Originally, sildenafil was studied as a possible treatment for hypertension and angina pectoris, both cardiovascular health disorders that are directly affected by blood flow and blood pressure. Sildenafil showed below-average results in managing blood pressure, but it had a much more significant impact on penile tumescence. Further studies revealed that sildenafil showed more consistent results in improving sexual function in men, prompting the redirection of their research towards sildenafil’s effect on men with erectile dysfunction.
What does Sildenafil do to the body?
Sildenafil is classified as a PDE-5 inhibitor medication, a type of medication that inhibits, or blocks the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5, to allow blood vessels to dilate and improve the passage of blood through the bloodstream. PDE-5 primarily controls the contraction of the smooth muscles in the walls of the blood vessels, and inhibiting its function would allow the smooth muscles to relax, and the blood vessels to dilate.
The effect of sildenafil on vasodilation and vasoconstriction is what researchers hoped for when studying the effects of sildenafil on individuals with hypertension and angina pectoris. However, the effects of sildenafil appear to be more localized in certain areas of the body, which is why it has a more significant impact on the genital region, instead of having a direct effect on blood pressure, in general.
Vasodilation, or the ability to increase blood flow, has a far-reaching effect on the body. It helps blood to flow easily through the bloodstream, which subsequently helps the heart by reducing the strain and workload of the heart to pump blood. Given sildenafil’s impact on vasodilation, researchers also studied the other effects of sildenafil to treat other diseases. These include:
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Left ventricle function
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Mountain sickness
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
Pulmonary arterial hypertension
Sildenafil is sold under the brand name Revatio to treat symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Studies show that sildenafil has a direct effect on reducing blood pressure, particularly on the pulmonary artery, to help improve blood flow going to the lungs.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is commonly characterized by the increase of blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. This can be caused by the occlusion (narrowing), or stenosis (blockage) of the pulmonary artery, which causes additional strain on the heart to pump blood. The condition can be serious as the lack of oxygen can damage the right side of the heart as it involves the cardiac muscles tasked with the pumping of blood going to the lungs.
Left ventricle function
One of the most common reasons for heart failure is the weakening of the left ventricle, which is primarily responsible for pumping blood to the rest of the body. This can be caused by years of hypertension that forced the heart muscles to enlarge and tighten, and this weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.
When the left ventricle gradually loses its ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body, fluid buildup can be expected, which would make it even harder for the heart to pump blood, leading to heart failure. Research shows that long-term use of sildenafil can improve heart function, especially with the left ventricle function to improve its structure and ability to pump blood.
Reynaud’s Phenomenon
Have you ever felt your arms or legs falling asleep or feeling numb? That phenomenon is usually caused by the restricted blood flow by either staying in a position that reduces blood flow to your extremities. Reynaud’s phenomenon is similar, in a way, as it characterizes the effects of poor blood flow to the arms or skin, caused by blockages or narrowing in the blood vessels.
In severe cases, the reduction in blood flow can cause necrotic tissue that needs to be removed or amputated. Research shows that taking sildenafil for a period of time can improve blood flow to certain areas of the body to continue the normal delivery of oxygen-rich blood to prevent tissue death. Think of this as the same effect of sildenafil on the cavernous spaces of the penis, but instead of improving blood flow to the penis, blood flow is directed towards areas of the body that need it most.
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
Mountain Sickness
Mountain sickness is a form of altitude sickness that is characterized by the poor delivery of oxygen-rich blood to the body. The effects of adrenaline and the low oxygen concentration of high-altitude environments can force the heart to work extremely hard to course blood through the body.
The ability of sildenafil to improve blood flow can reduce the strain on the heart to pump blood, and prevent pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary edema caused by altitude sickness. Sildenafil helps to allow more oxygen to be absorbed through the lungs and reduces the strain on the heart while improving the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to the body.
The Takeaway
Two decades ago, when Sildenafil was being studied as a potential medication for hypertension and angina, researchers did not expect to discover the use of sildenafil as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Now that sildenafil is established as a highly effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, researchers are still discovering other uses for sildenafil to treat disorders related to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Only time will tell if researchers would discover more uses for sildenafil, but in the meantime, it’s enough that sildenafil is an FDA-approved treatment for a variety of conditions, marking its status as one of the most successful drugs of all time.
