Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patients taking antihypertensive drugs, and to investigate factors associated to treatment failure.
Methods: Observational prospective study comparing two groups of patients suffering from erectile dysfunction with or without hypertension. Patients were evaluated by anamnesis, physical examination, blood tests, and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Blood pressure was measured before and after treatment with an automatic digital oscillometric device.
Results: Erections improved in 88.2% and 91.7% of the patients with an without hypertension respectively. On the initial visit 55.2% of all patients had severe dysfunction, which was reduced after sildenafil treatment to 4.7%. Diastolic arterial blood pressure, evaluated in random measures, was slightly reduced after starting treatment with Viagra. No significant adverse events were registered.
Conclusions: Oral treatment with sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction and hypertension is effective, well-tolerated and does not produce pharmacologic interactions with antihypertensive drugs.