Men with heart failure who take sildenafil benefit from improved heart function, according to a new study.

The drug sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction, but there have been some concerns over its effect on the heart and circulation. Researchers in Brazil have been looking at the effects of sildenafil in a group of men with heart failure.

The men took either sildenafil or placebo before taking a treadmill test. The following day, the procedure was repeated, only the medication was switched, so each man had a try at both active drug and placebo. Being on sildenafil lowered blood pressure and heart rate, as well as improving oxygen consumption. This probably occurs because the drug increases levels of nitric oxide, a hormone which improves the function of the heart and blood vessels.

An added bonus is that sildenafil may make men more likely to take prescribed drugs for heart failure. Often there's a reluctance to take these, because the patient believes they make erectile dysfunction worse. Taking care of the sexual problem often persuades the men to keep on with the heart failure treatment - which boosts their health overall.

Source

Circulation 6th August 2002