Viagra Side Effects

Taking Viagra can be very risky for patients who show symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

Because the risk factors of cardiovascular disease are often similar to those of erectile dysfunction, many patients who take Viagra to treat ED may be putting themselves in danger of suffering Viagra side effects. Risk factors of cardiovascular disease include:

• High blood pressure	• High cholesterol
• Diabetes	• Hypertension
• Hardening of the arteries	• History of smoking

Partial or total blindness may result
In some cases, Viagra can lead to partial or total blindness in one or both eyes. This Viagra side effect is known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

NAION is caused by constriction of the optic cup. Most patients who have experienced loss of vision after taking Viagra had a smaller-than-normal optic cup, meaning that the nerves were bunched more tightly together. When cardiovascular risk factors are combined with Viagra, the nerves can become too constricted, leading to vision loss.

Many patients who experience NAION as a Viagra side effect report vision loss within 24 to 36 hours after beginning treatment. Although blindness does not usually result from NAION, the loss of vision can be permanent.

No fewer than 15% of patients who experience vision loss in one eye as a result of NAION will lose some vision in the other eye as well.

Viagra, sexual activity and side effects
Because patients with cardiovascular disease may not be healthy enough for sexual activity, taking Viagra may place them at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event. While little is known about the side effects Viagra can cause in the heart, studies have suggested that Viagra can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, even in healthy men.