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Men with erectile dysfunction may have high blood pressure (hypertension), which can cause poor blood flow to the penis and make it difficult to achieve an erection.
High blood pressure (or hypertension) is defined as blood pressure—or the flow of blood circulating your body through your blood vessels—that falls at a range higher than normal parameters.
The normal blood pressure range is 120/80 mm/hG, and any figure higher than that amount is considered hypertension.
The connection between erectile function and high blood pressure is inextricably linked. This doesn’t only apply to patients with hypertension, but the medications used to treat erectile dysfunction as well.
Let’s take a closer look at how blood pressure and erectile function are linked, how Viagra affects blood pressure, and more suitable ways to treat erectile problems in men.
How Does Your Blood Pressure Affect Sexual Health?
The reason why blood pressure and sexual health, particularly erectile function, are so closely linked is their vascular origins.
For an erection to form, there needs to be sufficient blood flow directed to the penis. The blood gets collected and placed in a chamber in the penis known as the corpus cavernosa. This chamber expands when a man gets sexually aroused and stimulated, consequently forming an erection.
When the body is unable to form an erection, this condition is what’s known as erectile dysfunction. This condition is typically caused by blood flow issues, but there are many other sources of this dysfunction as well.
One primary source of erectile dysfunction is high blood pressure. One published review stated that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men with hypertension is twice as high than men without the condition.
People with high blood pressure don’t usually recognize their symptoms. That’s because there are no visible signs of blood pressure that can be directly attributed.
However, if left untreated, high blood pressure can chip away the walls of the blood vessels around your body and drastically affect the organs. Not only does this impair the heart, but it also impacts the functioning of the liver, kidney, and nerves. The penile arteries aren’t exempt from this as well, with endothelial dysfunction and a narrowing of the arteries occurring as a result of this continuous damage.
Erectile Function and High Blood Pressure Medications
While high blood pressure can worsen symptoms of erectile dysfunction, clinically treating and managing hypertension won’t magically cure erectile function. In fact, antihypertensive drugs may go so far as to increase the risk of erectile dysfunction.
According to one article published in Current Opinion in Cardiology, blood pressure medication can cause decreased perfusion, or decreased blood flow in the corpus cavernosa, due to vasoconstriction to the penile vascular smooth muscle cells by the alpha-adrenergic stimulation induced by beta blockers.
That said, if you want to increase blood flow to the penis, there is some good news. Taking blood pressure medication in conjunction with Viagra and ED medication can improve erectile function. But are there side effects to be aware of when taking these two medication types at a time?
Let’s find out.
Viagra and Blood Pressure
Viagra, and other ED medications such as Cialis, Levitra, and Staxyn, are all PDE5 inhibitors. They all improve the mechanism of action that causes an erection to form, but these pills, like Cialis, may also have side effects.
Does daily Viagra lower blood pressure? Viagra is used to help improve erectile function in men. It reverses the effects of blood pressure medication, widening the blood arteries surrounding the corpus cavernosum in a process called vasodilation. It also helps relax the smooth muscles found in the penis, causing low blood pressure in the process.
For men who suffer from high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction, a combination of diuretics or beta blockers and ED medication can improve erectile function in men.
That said, there are some side effects that men can experience following Viagra treatment. These side effects include:
- Vision loss
- Chest pain
- Shoulder and jaw pain
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizure
- Lightheadedness
- A 4-hour-long erection
- Foamy mucus
- Swelling extremities
If you experience any untoward symptoms after taking an erectile dysfunction pill, seek medical treatment immediately.
Licensed physicians may recommend you adjust your dosage, change medication, or look into alternative treatment plans to manage erectile dysfunction and treat high blood pressure.
Other Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
Fortunately, there are a variety of clinically-approved ways for men to improve ED symptoms without acquiring risk factors that often arise when taking Viagra.
Here are some treatment options that men can may consider:
Acoustic Wave Therapy
Shockwave therapy, or acoustic wave therapy, is a non-invasive treatment procedure that uses invisible waves to break plaque that riddles blood vessels, improving blood circulation and nerve function in the penis in the process.
According to one study, this type of procedure is deemed an effective and painless way to rehabilitate erectile tissue and protect your erection without additional pharmacotherapy.
Vacuum Erection Devices
Also known as penis pumps, these devices are externally applied and non-invasive. They work by using negative pressure to draw blood into the penis, resulting in an erection.
Topical Gels and Creams
Erectile dysfunction treatment can include taking a variety of gels and creams that can be applied to the penis, causing an erection to form after a set amount of time.
Lifestyle Changes
Together with regular clinical treatment, undergoing positive lifestyle changes can reduce both blood pressure and cause decreased sexual performance.
Here are some activities you can do to improve your health:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Get plenty of exercise
- Sleep at least 7 hours a day
- Avoid drinking and smoking
- Manage your stress sources
Consult a Leading Men’s Clinic to Overcome Erectile Dysfunction Without Viagra or Blood Pressure Side Effects
Erectile function and blood pressure are intimately connected, and complications can be two-way. One way to temporarily treat the symptoms ED is Viagra, however, this does not resolve the underlying causes of dysfunctions and comes with significant side effects.
When it comes to sustainably treating this debilitating sexual problem, considering acoustic wave therapy and other medical therapies have been clinically proven to be extremely effective in treating erectile dysfunction.
Need medical advice to improve sexual desire? Contact a men’s health specialist to treat your sexual issues today.
The medical professionals at Paramount Men’s Medical Center in St. Louis specialize in treating conditions that impact men’s health, including erectile dysfunction. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low testosterone, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
