Viagra and AF: I am a fit and active 7... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Viagra and AF

Alanwilliam profile image
12 Replies

I am a fit and active 74 year old with paroxysmal AF. My wife and I still enjoy an active sex life. However in the last couple of years I have started getting problems maintaining a strong erection sufficient for penetrative sex. Sometimes I am ok but other times not so. Is Viagra safe and not likely to bring on AF. My AF is very intermittent. I went 7 years once between attacks. It is currently 3 years since my last attack of AF. I am on Sotalol and Apixaban as a blood thinner. I checked this out with my GP who said he could not rule out Viagra bringing on a return to AF but thought it would be unlikely. Any one out there who has experience of this issue of Viagra and paroxysmal AF.

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Alanwilliam profile image
Alanwilliam
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12 Replies

Not quite an experience, but I know the true story.

I had a friend from high-school days, very fit and active at the age of 65. Just retired, plenty of time, found a "girlfriend" of 25. Had AF, later heard that he also used Viagra. Died from "golden death" after he had received only one payment. His wife was destroyed by the event, sold the house and moved elsewhere.

Alanwilliam profile image
Alanwilliam in reply to

Hi Nesko.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry but what is the “Golden Death”. Maybe I am just nieve

Thanks

Alan

in reply toAlanwilliam

Hi, Alan!

I know that you know the answer, but I will tell you - it is when somebody dies while making "hopa-cupa". Both expressions are specific for my country, the wild country of Serbia, lol!

For us, AFibers, sex is one of the activities to be avoided. The demand put before the heart is enormous - HR goes very high, BP goes very high... If we know that the next level, in close neighborhood, is SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest), than better safe than fu.ked, lol!

Wish you a nice evening!

Petar

pottypete1 profile image
pottypete1

Whilst we are all different and this must be taken into account I can tell you that I take the following cocktail of medication.

Warfarin

Flecainide 2 x 100mg each day

Statins

Blood Pressure medication

Sildenafil (Generic Viagra)

Talk to your doctor I get Sildenafil on prescription and because I am 75 I do not pay for it. Better than paying through the nose for the branded version.

Whilst my AF has been zapped after 7 ablations and rarely occurs these days this has only gradually been the case in the past 5 years and I have been successfully taking Sildenafil (when required 🙂) for over 10 years.

This is an embarrassing subject for us men but I hope this will help you see the way forward

Pete

Alanwilliam profile image
Alanwilliam in reply topottypete1

Hi Pete.

Many thanks for your response. It is just that kind of positive experience I am looking for. I don’t want to risk ending up in A&E the way things are today. You have given me the kind of reassurance that I was hoping for. Cheers. Alan

stoneyrosed profile image
stoneyrosed

I hear you cannot take drugs such as Edoxaban (blood thinning meds) with Viagra. Best get a second opinion if I was you.

Alanwilliam profile image
Alanwilliam in reply tostoneyrosed

Hi. I am on Apixaban as a thinner. My GP said he thought Viagra would be ok to use. He obviously knew I was on that medication. I have not tried it yet as I wanted to check out other people’s experiences before risking it. The way things are with the NHS I would not want to risk a visit to A&E. I was hoping numerous people might come forward and say they have tried Viagra successfully without a return to AF. A handful have done that and I thank you for that .

Alanwilliam profile image
Alanwilliam

thanks for your reply Bob. Reassuring to know you have used it without problems. I can only guess I am on thinners in case I get an attack of AF. I would need that protection whilst awaiting a cardio version. For example if I were on holiday or on a cruise ship for example. Thanks

Steve101 profile image
Steve101

Hi Alan

I have used viagra ( generic form) without problems - however the last time I placed an online order with authorised Oxford online pharmacy ( best value on internet) they would not authorise it as I had AF and felt it increased the risk of AF. However they did prescribe Cialis (generic form). I have just started to take the low dose 5mg daily dose of cialis - which means that once you get it in your system after 3- 5 days you are good to go any time, with the advantage that you don’t have to have pre planned sex.

Interestingly I discussed with my EP whether viagra was safe for me, he said it was. I pointed this out to the pharmacy but they still wouldn’t prescribe it.

Hope this helps. Get in touch through private message if you need more info.

Steve

Alanwilliam profile image
Alanwilliam in reply toSteve101

Hi Steve.

Thanks for your reply. All interesting stuff. Can you not get V on prescription once a month from your GP. (I am assuming you are in the UK) . Also I am not keen on taking Cialis on a regular basis. You mentioned after 3-5 days once it’s in your system. I would prefer just taking V as required. My GP previously told me he “thought” it would be safe. I wasn’t totally convinced so have not tried it yet. I wanted other opinions first. Didn’t want to risk it without reassurance as I have now been 3 years free of AF. Many Thanks

NeurosurgeonFL profile image
NeurosurgeonFL

Yes viagra can cause afib. It dilates the pulmonary veins. The junction of the pulmonary veins and atria is where most ectopy originates. Avoid it if you have paroxysmal Afib. If you have CHRONIC afib it is not a problem

markzz profile image
markzz

Hi, I'm 68 and have had similar issues with maintaining an erection. I’ve been using Viagra for a while now, and it works well for me. I have no significant problems with it, and it doesn’t seem to trigger any issues with my heart or AF. However, I’d always recommend discussing it with your GP or a cardiologist, especially since you’re on Sotalol and Apixaban. My doctor mentioned that the risk is generally low, but it’s always good to be cautious, particularly with your history of AF. Stay on top of your health and get professional advice, but in my experience, Viagra has been safe and effective.

Also, to minimize side effects and achieve the desired result, it is important to use only high-quality Viagra, so now I buy it at this reliable pharmacy, which I chose based on good reviews and ratings, by the way, delivery always arrives quickly. If anyone needs it, I order Viagra here - world-delivery-service.com/...

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