Researchers at the Sapienza University in Rome found that Viagra had a cardio-protective effect in patients with various heart disorders.
the Viagra belongs to the family of inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 (IPD5), an enzyme responsible for the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. By blocking its effect, the active molecule of Viagra improves the functioning of the heart of patients with cardiac disease.
The research team looked at data from 1,622 patients, of which 954 were treated with the drug, while 772 patients received a placebo.
Scientists have observed that in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, i.e. having too large a left ventricle, the IPD5 contained in Viagra reduced the heart volume and even prevented it from s’ thicken.
In patients with other types of heart disorder, treatment increased the performance of the heart without major negative effect on heart rate. arterial pressure. The most common side effects were mainly headaches and stomach aches, nosebleeds and redness.
This study therefore shows, for the first time, an anti-remodeling action of cardiac tissue in patients with heart disease, and could constitute a satisfactory treatment.
“Taking into account the reproducibility of the results and the tolerance of the treatment in the different populations tested, IPD5 could reasonably be offered to men with an enlarged heart, or suffering from heart failure at an early stage”, assure the researchers.
However, further studies will be necessary to find out whether such a treatment can be administered to women, and whether it leads to the same effects.
The study was published today in the scientific journal BMC Medicine.
