382. Erectile dysfunction medications linked to lower risk of death
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Doctors often treat men with erectile dysfunction, or ED, with medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, such as Viagra and Cialis. These drugs help relax smooth muscles in the blood vessel walls, leading to increased blood flow to the area. In a new study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers at the Huntington Medical Research Institute showed that these medications reduce the risk of death 25 percent and the risk of dying due to cardiovascular-related causes 39 percent. And it appears that men who take larger doses obtain even greater protective benefits. What is needed now is a large, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study to better determine the dosage, frequency and side effects of this potential preventative treatment.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
