SCI/TECH: Tests Show Viagra May Help Enlarged Hearts

The erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, may be of benefit to patients with enlarged hearts secondary to high blood pressure. Animal tests indicate some benefit, and researchers are making plans to test the drug in humans. The drug was found to have reversed some of the enlargement in mice.

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Viagra was initially developed as a drug for pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lung vasculature. Early on its famous side effect was noticed and now it is a billion dollar drug for erectile dysfunction. However, its uses are still being investigated. We are actually one of the centers researching pediatric applications for the drug. Once the snickers and jokes fade away, the drug actually works well for those with pulmonary hypertension.

Methinks this is just a way to make it "ok" that Viagra is covered by insurance but birth control for women is not.

No, that is a religious issue, most HMO's will cover both. However, the literature and research supports its applications for PPHTN in pediatrics and I have seen teh positive results first hand.

I agree with leespitfire on this one, they did that with propecia, they used too to control prostate problems.

I tell you women are the ones to have the problems with unwanted pregnancies and protection more than men but is not free birth control for women at all.

What a shame. I guess they need to keep the abortion issue alive so they can target poor women.

That's because the blood supply is diverted elsewhere.

not guite: In technical terms, Viagra is an afterload reducer. If you decrease the resistance against which the heart has to pump it makes its life easier. In turn the bogged down heart will hopefully loose some of that extra muscle it built up when it was working so hard.

Yes, if men suddenly where the ones who got pregnant, then birth control would be 100% effective if wanted and FREE.

I may be the youngest person to be put on Viagra.....But its because of the Heart Condition.. I swear

Well, hell, they can use leeches for that.

Speaking of which, leeches have just recently gotten FDA re-approval.

We use leaches all the time for digit reattachment. They are smaller than you would think and they look like slugs but are fast mothers before they eat.