Viagra & AF

I ahve had two episodes of AF after using Viagra. The attacks have been about 8 hours later. I have seen some literature that says be careful with Viagra, but no details.

Any thoughts?

Bob,

I lifted the below from page 104 of Hans' book.

"Researchers at the Mayo Clinic report that sildenafil (Viagra) can increase sympathetic nerve activity by as much as 141% and norepinephrine release by more than 30%. Probably not a good choice for afibbers with the adrenergic form of LAF, but may be worth a try for afibbers with the vagal variety(4)."

4. Phillips, Bradley G., et al. Sympathetic activation by sildenafil. Circulation, Vol. 102, December 19/26, 2000, pp. 3068-73

PC v54

PS I've never tried it, but there are plenty on this BB that can speak more authoritatively to that than can I.

This Viagra craze is interesting, much of it driven by pharmaceutical companies with a vested interest in sending middle-age males screaming to their doctors with a demand for this 'miracle med.'

I would venture to guess that most men who are scrambling for Viagra and Levitra (the latest player in the game) have not had their testosterone levels checked in advance. Many might not even know that testosterone production is often interrupted by a fairly simple and natural process within the body, which is the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the metabolic culprit linked to loss of hair and, even worse, loss of libido.

There is a natural substance that is very simple and safe, and that, for most men, will interrupt the conversion of testosterone to DHT. It will often result in many of the benefits that have led men to clamor for Viagra, and it's something almost everyone has heard of. Before I tell you what that substance is, let me say that some of the research about the function of Viagra has addressed the Nitric Oxide issue, which is complex. For many men, NO availability can be said to be at the heart of their ED problem. If so, there are ways to stimulate more NO production (check www.lef.org, and other sites), but that isn't where I'm headed in this post.

Unwanted DHT conversion can lead to loss of libido, as well as other physiological compromises in a man's life. However, the use of a standardized extract of Saw Palmetto at the rate of 160-320 mg per day, along with Vitamin E, Selenium and a modest amount of Zinc in one's diet, can make a profound difference in erectile response.

Unfortunately, many men see ED as a cause in itself, rather than an effect of some other deficiency. That perception allows many men to become targets of pharma ads that promote Viagra, triggering a race to the physician. I venture to guess that most of those men simply ask for the DRUG, rather than ask about WHY they might be experiencing the PROBLEM, and whether it can be addressed with the use of pharmaceuticals.

Although it isn't discussed, the cultural perception of men as strong and silent often works against us. We aren't supposed to complain; we're just supposed to accept the idea (reality, for some) that we lose our masculine power as we age. Don't whine, just accept it. With that thought in mind, many men sidle up to their doctors and timidly explain that they have a need for Viagra, rather than demanding a testosterone check and a reasoned suggestion about the value of high-quality Saw Palmetto (and related herbs in combination, as needed) for treating sexual dysfunction as well as prostate problems.

Erectile issues and Prostate issues often occur together. Viagra and Levitra are NOT always the answer. Sometimes, something safer and easier can provide the benefit you seek. For those with legitimate ED or protracted Prostate issues, SP is not the only answer, of course. But even for them, Saw Palmetto is safer than Proscar, and it has no negative effect on PSA levels. In fact, PSA is often lowered with consistent use.

I would urge men to read about Saw Palmetto first, and further urge them to try high-quality SP (a standardized extract form that has been assayed to deliver 160 mg with each dose) for a few weeks, before they use Viagra. Many times, the length, width and duration of their problem (pun intended) will be addressed safely, with no cardiac effect at all from the herbal treatment. Viagra, on the other hand, can have some very nasty cardiac effects. [By the way, you will find Saw Palmetto as a key ingredient in every one of the OTC products that claim to address erectile issues and sexual performance. They don't tell you that, but you can read the label and discover it for your self. If they're re-packaging SP in a formula that costs much more money than the simple herb itself, why not eliminate the middle man, and buy the herb alone?]

For those who want to save money, my answer is...DON'T BOTHER. There are many, many suppliers of allegedly effective Saw Palmetto capsules, and those disreputable companies will describe the benefits of the IMMENSE AMOUNT of Saw Palmetto they provide in their products. However, BUYER BEWARE. Most of the brands putting massive quantities of SP in their bottles are using the BERRIES, NOT THE EXTRACT. What's the difference? First, the price. The berries are dirt cheap, and that allows monstrous profits. But, research has shown NO BENEFIT FROM THE BERRIES OF THE SAW PALMETTO. ED and Urinary benefits have ONLY been measured from the use of the standardized extract. Much more expensive to produce, and more expensive to buy.

Consumer Reports did an analysis last year, and they determined that many brands were NOT delivering the 160 mg of extract they purported to provide. However, CVS offers a product that delivers 160 or more, and they do so at a reasonable cost. That's the brand I swear by. Don't have stock in CVS, but I use their product daily, and I love it.

Good luck to all...Jerry

Correction:

In Paragraph Four of my prior post, I meant to write..."whether [the problem] can be address WITHOUT the use of pharmaceuticals." Sorry

Jerry wrote: "Many might not even know that testosterone production is often interrupted by a fairly simple and natural process within the body, which is the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the metabolic culprit linked to loss of hair and, even worse, loss of libido."

I thought this conversion only takes place in the prostate gland. If so, does this loss of testosterone *in the prostate* reduce free testosterone in the blood stream and so effect libido and erection by reducing the amount of testosterone available at all tissue testosterone receptors? I have noticed that prostate enlargement (BPH) is often said to be accompanied by loss of libido, especially in saw palmetto ads.

Also, what about the conversion of free testosterone to estrogen by aromatase, an enzyme formed in fat cells? Is this conversion more or less important than the one Jerry wrote about above?

-will

Good report Jerry -

Recently, I was at a seminar discussing herbal preparations versus drugs and the Viagara issue was mentioned wrt all the Spam we get from Internet advertisers.

The pharmacist speaking on the subject said that many of these "natural" remedies promising to duplicate the Viagara effect but in a natural form actually contain a small amount of Viagra so people are thinking the natural form is better and effective. Cost-wise, apparently, some of the naturals are a big ripoff. And there is also the cardiac risk issue as well.

Buyer beware.

Jackie

The natural preparations I'm talking about, first and foremost, are the herbs themselves--specifically, high-quality Saw Palmetto. Research shows the herb to be safe and effective.

The other players are the Alzare's and other products that promote better performance, etc, and which combine saw palmetto and other things in one uncontrolled compound. Not in favor of those.

Jerry - I realize that. Sorry I didn't write clearly. True - SP is a great product used very successfully and far better than taking a Rx drug - no contest.

Jackie