Is Viagra Safe To Use With High Blood Pressure



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High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

These devices are available without a prescription, but it’s important to buy one from a reputable manufacturer. The device must include a safety control so you can’t harm your penis with too much suction.

Viagra and Blood Pressure: What Should You be Aware of?

In 30 seconds… If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, this may be a sign that you also have high blood pressure (hypertension), a common condition that can lead to restricted blood flow to the penis and impact your ability to achieve an erection. ED medications like Viagra can often be taken safely at the same time as blood pressure medicines, but you should always consult your prescriber before use. Making changes to your lifestyle, such as eating a healthy diet and reducing alcohol consumption, can help to treat ED and high blood pressure. Men who are suffering from low blood pressure should seek medical advice before taking Viagra.

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects around a third of adults in the UK. Many people don’t realise that they have high blood pressure, as it often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. However, if it’s not treated it can lead to more serious health conditions, including heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED), this can be a warning sign of high blood pressure, and you may want to have your blood pressure checked. The two conditions are closely connected because they’re both related to the health of your circulatory system: a firm erection depends on sufficient blood flow to the penis. The good news is that ED and high blood pressure are both treatable. In this article, we look at the lifestyle changes that can help improve your erections and your blood pressure levels. We also discuss whether an ED medication, such as Viagra (or the generic unbranded form, Sildenafil), can be taken alongside medication for high blood pressure.

Erectile Dysfunction and High Blood Pressure: How are they Linked?

An erection is the result of a chain of chemical reactions in your body that begins when you become sexually aroused. Enzymes transmit signals to the blood vessels in your penis, causing them to relax and expand so that blood can flow in. As a result, your penis becomes firm and ready for sexual activity. When you have high blood pressure, however, this puts a strain on your circulatory system. Over time, the lining of your blood vessels can be damaged and your arteries can harden and become narrow, restricting blood flow. This then prevents enough blood entering your penis to achieve a hard, lasting erection. Research has found that men suffering from ED are 38% more likely to have high blood pressure, so there’s a good chance that tackling your high blood pressure could help your erections too.

Can I Take High Blood Pressure Medications and Viagra Together?

Probably the best-known treatment for ED is the “little blue pill”, Viagra or the generic unbranded form, Sildenafil, named after the active ingredient Sildenafil Citrate. Viagra, along with Cialis (Tadalafil) and Levitra, belongs to a group of drugs called Phosphodiesterase 5 or PDE5 inhibitors. These work by blocking the activity of the enzyme PDE5, preventing it from disrupting the other enzymes that are busy bringing about the increased blood flow to your penis. There are a number of medications used to treat high blood pressure, and generally these can be taken safely alongside Viagra. In fact, Viagra (under the brand name Revatio) is used to treat pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels supplying the lungs. Important note: Before taking Viagra, or another ED medication, alongside medication for high blood pressure, it’s important to discuss your situation with your prescriber. You’ll need to provide full details of any existing health conditions and any medicines you’re taking, to make sure that you get the right treatment. Some high blood pressure medications, such as diuretics and beta-blockers, have been linked to an increased risk of ED. So if you’re already experiencing ED, you may be prescribed another medication, such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or alpha-blockers, which have a lower risk of sexual side effects.

Lifestyle Changes to Treat ED and High Blood Pressure

  • Eating a low-salt diet with plenty of fruit and veg
  • Taking regular exercise
  • Losing any excess weight
  • Reducing the amount of caffeine you drink (coffee, tea, etc.)

A healthy lifestyle won’t only help you improve your blood pressure and get your erections back on track; it should give you more energy to enjoy sex, too.

Can I Take Viagra or Sildenafil if I Have Low Blood Pressure?

While we’ve focused on the link between ED and high blood pressure, it’s also possible to have low blood pressure (hypotension) and experience erection problems. In that situation, your prescriber may advise an alternative treatment, as Viagra can cause your blood pressure to drop further one or two hours after swallowing the tablet.

In addition, it is unsafe to take Viagra if you are also taking medicines called nitrates, which are usually prescribed to treat chest pain. This is because the interaction between nitrates and Sildenafil Citrate can cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure levels and lead to further health complications.

Key Takeaways…

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and high blood pressure are two closely connected conditions. If you experience ED then this may be a sign that your blood pressure is too high, and it’s important to get your blood pressure levels checked out.

Many men are able to take Viagra or Sildenafil to treat their ED at the same time as they are being treated for high blood pressure. However, it’s important to consult your prescriber first.

Likewise, you should exercise caution before taking Viagra when you have been diagnosed with lower blood pressure, as the medication can cause a further drop in your blood pressure levels.

Finally, adopting healthy habits as part of your lifestyle – including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and reduced alcohol – can really help to get your blood pressure back to normal, and get you back to enjoying stronger erections.

References

  1. NHS -High blood pressure (hypertension): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/causes/
  2. Harvard Health Publishing -Blood pressure drugs and ED: What you need to know: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/blood-pressure-drugs-and-ed-what-you-need-to-know
  3. NHS – Treatment – Pulmonary hypertension: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pulmonary-hypertension/treatment/
  4. Imprialos, K.; Stavropoulos, K.; Petidis, K.; Manafis, A.; Bouloukou, S.; Lales, G.; Katsiki, N.; Patoulias, D.; Sachinidis, A.; Dimitriadis, K.; Tsioufis, K.; Grassos, H.; Pittaras, A.; Manolis, A.J.; Lovic, D.; Athyros, V.; Karagiannis, A.; Doumas, M. (2018). The Impact of Diuretics on Erectile Function in Patients With Arterial Hypertension: https://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/Abstract/2018/06001/THE_IMPACT_OF_DIURETICS_ON_ERECTILE_FUNCTION_IN.591.aspx

While we’ve ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.

High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Even if your high blood pressure (or hypertension) has caused erectile dysfunction (ED), you have every reason to be optimistic about the future and a healthy sex life. ED is a common problem associated with high blood pressure, but there are many proven treatments you can try.

A doctor’s first choice for treating erection problems is usually one of the pills called PDE5 inhibitors. First there was Viagra. Now there’s also Cialis, Levitra, and Staxyn. All of these drugs work in similar ways. They don’t increase sexual desire. They make it physically possible to get an erection when you are aroused.

No one of them has been proven to work better than the others. But the time they take to start working and the duration of their effects vary. That’s something you may want to consider based on your sexual habits. For example, does spontaneity matter to you, or do you usually plan sex ahead of time?

Viagra starts working in about 15 to 30 minutes and its effects last about two to four hours. Levitra starts working in about 30 to 60 minutes and lasts four to five hours . Cialis starts working in about 30 to 60 minutes and lasts as long as 36 hours.

Staxyn is an orally disintegrating tablet that contains the same active ingredient as Levitra but is not interchangeable with Levitra tablets.

Men whose blood pressure isn’t under control and those who take alpha-blockers (for high blood pressure or prostate problems) shouldn’t take Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn, or Viagra.

Also, you may not be able to take these drugs if you:

When Erectile Dysfunction Pills Aren’t an Option

If erectile dysfunction pills are out of the question, or if pills haven’t worked for you, don’t worry. There are other options.

Alprostadil is another drug for erectile dysfunction. However, it’s not a pill. One brand, called MUSE, is an alprostadil pellet that you insert into the tip of your penis with an applicator. It widens blood vessels and relaxes smooth muscle tissue in the penis, allowing blood to fill the spongy tissue that makes the penis erect.

Injections directly into the penis are another way to deliver alprostadil. Phentolamine and papaverine are additional drugs that are injected into the penis to treat erectile dysfunction. When injecting these drugs there is some risk that your erection may last too long, a condition that can require medical treatment.

Next, you may want to try a vacuum device, or “penis pump.” This is typically a clear plastic cylinder with a bulb or plunger and a constriction band.

You put your penis in the cylinder and start pumping. The suction creates a vacuum, so blood rushes in to fill the spaces in the spongy tissue of the penis, creating an erection. The erection lasts only as long as the blood stays in, so you slide the band down around the base of your penis, trapping the blood. It’s safe to keep the band on for up to 30 minutes.

These devices are available without a prescription, but it’s important to buy one from a reputable manufacturer. The device must include a safety control so you can’t harm your penis with too much suction.

Surgery for Erectile Dysfunction

Most men would prefer to avoid surgery, but for some men with erection problems, penis implants are another option for regaining sexual function.

There are two kinds of penis implants. One kind is a rigid but flexible rod implanted in the penis. You bend it up for sex or down for daily living. The other kind is an inflatable implant. The device stores fluid in a reservoir under the skin of your abdomen or scrotum. You press on the reservoir to pump fluid into cylinders in the penis. That creates an erection. A valve drains the fluid out of the penis when you’re done.

There are drawbacks to implants. An erection you get with an implant may be slightly shorter than a natural erection. The device itself may malfunction, in which case it would require another surgery to remove or replace it.

Getting a penis implant is a big decision. Once you have it, you may not be able to try other treatments. That’s because the implant replaces the chambers in the penis that fill with blood for a natural erection.

Alternative Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Before Viagra hit the market in 1998, there was no proven treatment for erectile dysfunction that men could take in pill form. Doctors were interested in yohimbe, an herb that increases heart rate and blood pressure. Some doctors prescribed it to their patients in combination with other treatments for erectile dysfunction. Even then it was not a recommended treatment and is still not today. Studies have not proven that it works.

Men with high blood pressure especially shouldn’t take either the prescription form or the herb. It can dangerously raise blood pressure.

Currently, no herb or supplements have been proven to help with erectile dysfunction. Herbs and supplements that some believe are helpful for erection problems include:

Before trying any alternative treatment, be sure to ask your doctor about it. Herbs and supplements, whether they help with erections or not, have real effects on the body. They could cause dangerous reactions with other medicines you might be taking.

Show Sources

American Urological Association: “Erectile Dysfunction Clinical Guidelines Panel. The Treatment of Organic Erectile Dysfunction: A Patient’s Guide,” 1996; and “AUA Guideline on the Management of Erectile Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment Recommendations,” 2005.

Gaines, K. Urologic Nursing, February 2004.

Lamm, S. The Hardness Factor, HarperCollins, 2005.

Medscape Drug Reference from First DataBank: “Alprostadil Urethral” and “Sildenafil Oral.”

Does Viagra Increase Blood Pressure?

What are the effects of drugs like Viagra on blood pressure? A drug such as Viagra can enhance nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, which means it can lower blood pressure.

Does Viagra cause a heart attack? There has been concern that Viagra might worsen a man’s underlying heart disease, even when he is not taking nitrates. The erectile dysfunction drug, which is popular, has been linked to reports of men suffering heart attacks or chest pain.

Is it safe to take Viagra if you have high blood pressure?

It’s usually safe to combine the erectile dysfunction drugs sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) with high blood pressure medications. It’s also usually safe to take tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis) with high blood pressure medications.

Can you take viagra two days in a row? You can take it every day, starting at a dose of 25mg or 50mg and increasing the dose to 100mg if necessary. You can take Sildenafil several days in a row if you have no problematic pre-existing health issues. You can only take this medication if you are not taking other ED medications.

What is the effect of Viagra on blood pressure?

A drug like Viagra can be helpful because it increases levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, which means that it helps to widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure. [1]

Does Viagra raise blood pressure? Does Viagra lower BP?
Does Viagra affect blood pressure? Does Viagra raise your blood pressure?
Does Viagra raise or lower blood pressure?

Can a 20 year old take Viagra? There are a few factors that contribute to the answer. Your age and the reason you are taking Viagra may affect how well it works. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much of the medication you should take because Viagra isn’t only used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The recommended dose of 50 milligrams (mg) for adults 18 to 64 years old is used to help with erections.

What is the average decrease in blood pressure when taking viagra?

The BP-lowering effects of sildenafil did not differ significantly between normotensive and hypertensive men. [2]

Can Viagra make ED worse? Viagra does not cause new or worsening ED. However, Viagra can sometimes cause priapism, which is a long-lasting and sometimes painful erection. Priapism is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. If left untreated, priapism can damage the tissues in your penis and cause irreversible erectile dysfunction.

What is the effect of Viagra on eye pressure?

Anecdotal reports have suggested that the vasodilator, sildenafil citrate, has the potential to increase intraocular pressure (IOP) in some individuals. Sildenafil citrate evokes its effect via a select inhibition of PDE5. A recent study also found that sildenafil can cause an ocular hypertensive effect in sheep. [3]

Does viagra make you rock hard? Viagra prevents the penis from bending and scarring. Viagra is known to make your penis harder for penetrative sex. If you begin using it early on, it has the potential to prevent penis injury.

Is it safe to take Viagra with glaucoma?

To see if Viagra is safe for men with chronic open-angle glaucoma, doctors from the University of Pennsylvania administered a 100-mg test dose to a group of men with the disease. The men were then monitored for two hours. No adverse effects were reported in any of the men. The drug did not have any effect on eye pressure (or blood pressure) over a 5-hour period. [4]

Is it possible to go blind from Viagra?

How much is a Viagra pill? Again, the price can vary depending on the supplier. You can buy 12 generic sildenafil tablets for £26.99 here at UK Meds. >According to a new study, an ingredient in Viagra could cause blindness in both men with eye problems and those with seemingly normal vision. [5]

Can Viagra cause vision problems?

The Guardian reports that a new study has found that Viagra may permanently damage vision in some men. Viagra for men tablets can help you get and keep an erection. The news is based on research conducted on mice. This research suggests that the medication may not be suitable for men who carry a gene mutation associated with the inherited eye condition retinitis pigmentosa. [6]

It is safe to take Viagra after cataract surgery.

Avoid any strenuous sexual activity for a few days. Viagra is the best sildenafil pill for erectile dysfunction. One of my private cataract surgery patients asked if it was okay to use Viagra, which is why I’m mentioning it. Strenuous sex can lead to increased pressure in your abdomen and chest which can, in turn, lead to increased eye pressure. [7]

What is the cause of blue vision with Viagra?

However, Viagra also inhibits phosphodiesterase 6. Sildenafil 100mg is used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. This is very similar to phosphodiesterase 5, but the effects are far more different and unexpected. Viagra sensitizes rod cells in the retina. Your vision becomes dominated by a blue tint because these rod cells are best at picking up blue. [8]

What is the reason for the blue tinted vision caused by Viagra?

The author attributes cyanopsia after taking sildenafil to diminished enzyme activity, thereby sensitizing the retinal rod cells. Rod cells are most sensitive to light of wavelengths near 498 nm; such light appears blue-green to the human eye.

References

About sildenafil (Viagra)

Sildenafil is a medicine used to treat erection problems (erectile dysfunction).

Sildenafil is also sometimes used to treat pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs).

If you have erection problems sildenafil works by temporarily increasing blood flow to your penis when you get sexually excited.

In pulmonary hypertension it works by relaxing blood vessels in the chest.

If you buy sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, it can also be known by the brand names Viagra, Aronix, Liberize and Nipatra.

Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension can also be known by the brand names Revatio and Grandipam.

This medicine is available on prescription and you can also buy it from most pharmacies. It comes as standard tablets, chewable tablets, and as a liquid that you swallow.

Key facts

  • It usually takes 30 to 60 minutes for sildenafil to work for erectile dysfunction. You can take it up to 4 hours before you want to have sex.
  • Taking sildenafil alone will not cause an erection. You need to be sexually excited for it to work.
  • The most common side effects are headaches, feeling sick, indigestion and dizziness. Many people have no side effects or only mild ones.
  • It can be dangerous to take sildenafil if you also take medicines called nitrates (often given for chest pain). The combination can cause a dangerous fall in your blood pressure. If you’re not sure if you’re taking a nitrate, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Do not drink grapefruit juice if you’re taking sildenafil (Revatio) for pulmonary hypertension. It affects the way the medicine works.

More in Sildenafil (Viagra)

Page last reviewed: 2 March 2022
Next review due: 2 March 2025

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Can I Take Erectile Dysfunction Medication If I Have High Blood Pressure?

Thanks to television, commercials, and other media, you may already be familiar with the correlation between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease. Because of this, many men have questions about whether they can safely take ED medication with an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure. When starting any new prescription, including medications for ED, it is important to discuss it with your doctor.

The expert team at Kasraeian Urology, including renowned board-certified urologists Drs. Ahmad and Ali Kasraeian, provides advanced solutions for ED in Jacksonville, FL to help men regain a more enjoyable, reliable, and fulfilling sex life. Learn more about ED and hypertension here, including what treatment options you may have that are both safe and effective.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, which is primarily characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse, has a number of potential causes. These may include:

  • Cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
  • Hypertension
  • Elevated cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Being overweight
  • Underlying medication conditions
  • Drug/alcohol use
  • Previous treatment or surgery for prostate cancer and/or BPH
  • Trauma
  • Andropause (low testosterone)
  • Age
  • Psychological factors (anxiety, depression, stress)
  • Relationship/marital problems

In a great number of cases, erectile dysfunction is multifactorial, meaning there are several physical and/or psychological issues contributing to the patient’s symptoms.

Can high blood pressure cause ED?

One of the most common causes of ED is poor blood flow to the penis, which makes it difficult – or even impossible – for the patient to achieve reliable and satisfactory erections. Because high blood pressure (hypertension) narrows blood vessels and restricts blood flow, it can certainly be a contributing factor to a patient’s erectile dysfunction.

Can I take Viagra if I have high blood pressure?

For many patients with hypertension, taking Viagra and other ED medication – such as Stendra, Cialis, and Levitra – is safe, effective, and appropriate. However, it is essential that patients consult with their cardiologist, urologist, and other providers before beginning any new medication. Even though ED therapies may not necessarily impact your blood pressure, it is important to know whether there are any drug interactions between your blood pressure medicine and Viagra, or what other risk factors you may have for taking these prescriptions.

What medications can you not take with Viagra?

Patients who are taking nitrates, alpha-blockers, and other classes of drugs are not eligible to take certain erectile dysfunction medications, including Viagra, Cialis, and others. Mixing these medications can actually lead to a life-threatening or even fatally low blood pressure level. Keep in mind that nitrates and alpha-blockers are not the only medications that should not be combined with Viagra and other ED drugs. Before beginning any new prescription for ED, Dr. Kasraeian will thoroughly evaluate your health history, current list of medications, and other factors to determine the safest and most appropriate course of treatment for you.

What if I can’t take Viagra?

If you are not a candidate for phosphodiesterase inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, Stendra, Levitra, etc.) because of another prescription or an underlying condition with risk factors, you still have options. During your initial consultation for erectile dysfunction in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Kasraeian will discuss all of your available ED treatment options, which may include:

How does shockwave therapy for ED work?

Kasraeian Urology is proud to offer shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction without the use of drugs. A handheld probe is used to send low-intensity shockwaves directly into the penis. The energy from shockwave therapy stimulates new blood vessel growth to help improve erectile dysfunction. Each shockwave therapy session takes around 20 minutes and many patients notice improvement after a few treatments.

Even with high blood pressure, you can still have a fantastic sex life!

Hypertension may be worsening your ED symptoms, but it doesn’t have to mean your sex life is over. Even with high blood pressure, many men can receive safe, effective, and long-lasting ED treatments, though it is imperative that they have the clearance of their physicians before starting any new medications. To learn more about the exciting possibilities of ED treatments in Jacksonville, FL, call Kasraeian Urology to speak with one of our knowledgeable team members and to schedule your consultation with either of our board-certified urologists Drs. Ahmad and Ali Kasraeian, today!