Everything about Sildenafil for High Blood Pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure is often referred to as a ‘silent killer’, as it may have no warning signs or symptoms, and puts you at an increased risk for heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, among other things This is why it calls for regular monitoring. Medications like Sildenafil have been proven quite effective for patients with high blood pressure.
Basics of Sildenafil
- Sildenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
- It is associated with the treatments of Erectile Dysfunction in men (ED) or impotency in men, hypertension or NYHA Functional Class II-III Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and Premature Ejaculation (PE).
How does Sildenafil work against High Blood Pressure?
Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitor, which means that it stops the activity of the enzyme phosphodiesterase. This enzyme breaks down substances called cAMP and cGMP.
Cyclic GMP causes the blood vessels or arteries, to relax and widen. Sildenafil decreases the activity of PDE5 so that more cyclic GMP is available for the blood vessels inside the lungs. This leads to the relaxation or widening, of those vessels.
Relaxing and widening of the blood vessels in the lungs decreases the pulmonary blood pressure to the heart and improves its function. This reduces blood pressure in the lungs which generally results in the ability to be more active.
What is the usual daily high blood pressure or pulmonary hypertension dosage intake for Sildenafil?
A medication like Sildenafil should always be taken as per a doctor’s advice after a thorough diagnosis of the patient.
However, FDA recommended a Sildenafil 20 mg tablet to be taken by a hypertension patient, about three times a day; keeping a 4 to 6 hours gap in between each dose.
In case this dose fails to reap desired results, doctors might suggest taking it to a maximum of 80 mg three times per day.
Side Effects of Sildenafil for High Blood Pressure
Usually, not much is heard about Sildenafil for high blood pressure or even pulmonary hypertension (PH), inciting issues in patients. However, as with all medications, it might cause a few side effects as mentioned below:
- Headaches
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Flushing
- Nosebleeds
- Insomnia
- Numbness, burning or tingling in the extremities
- Muscle aches
- Changes in color vision
- Sensitivity to light
Many of these side effects resolve on their own, without much problem. But, in case any of the above side effects are severe or persistent, a person should contact a doctor immediately.
However, in very rare incidents, Sildenafil for high blood pressure might cause a few severe side effects as mentioned below:
- Sudden, or severe loss of vision
- Blurred vision
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Worsening shortness of breath
- An erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours
- Itching or burning during urination
- Rash
Does sildenafil lower blood pressure in both men and women?
Yes, Sildenafil lowers blood pressure for both men and women and does not showcase any gender-specific side effects either.