GALVESTON, Texas – A recent medical study revolving around erectile dysfunction has yielded some BIG results.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston were part of a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, where medications like Viagra and Cialis, used to treat erectile dysfunction are also associated with significant reductions in deaths, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.
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UTMB says researchers evaluated more than half a million men over 40 years old diagnosed with erectile dysfunction between February 2004 and February 2021.
From there, they found the following results based on men prescribed tadalafil (Cialis) and sildenafil (Viagra) and those who were not. Here are some of those key findings:
- Mortality: 34% reduction with tadalafil, 24% with sildenafil
- Heart Attack: 27% reduction with tadalafil, 17% with sildenafil
- Stroke: 34% reduction with tadalafil, 22% with sildenafil
- Venous Thromboembolism: 21% reduction with tadalafil, 20% with sildenafil
- Dementia: 32% reduction with tadalafil, 25% with sildenafil
“These medications, such as Cialis and Viagra, are believed to offer cardiovascular benefits through improved blood flow, lowering blood pressure, enhancing endothelial function, and providing anti-inflammatory effects,” said Dr. Dietrich Jehle, Professor and Chair of UTMB’s Sealy Department of Emergency Medicine and lead author of the study. “Additionally, the enabled sexual activity may contribute positively to mental health.”
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UTMB also notes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved these medications for treating erectile dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, and lower urinary tract symptoms related to an enlarged prostate.
“Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and is influenced by environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors,” Dr. Jehle noted. “Both erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms have been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in men, highlighting the potential broader impact of PDE-5 inhibitors on public health.”
“PDE-5 inhibitors like Cialis and Viagra were originally developed for hypertension and angina, and their impact on erectile dysfunction was initially considered a secondary benefit,” Dr. Hani Jneid, UTMB’s Chief of Cardiology and co-author of the study added. “These findings could shift our approach to treating middle-aged and older men at risk for cardiovascular disease and dementia.”