An 84-year-old man from El Salvador died Sunday, Feb. 14, due to a heart attack. The initial investigations suggest he took Viagra pills and then his heart gave out. Police identified the pensioner as Gonzalo L, and it was revealed that he was with a woman when he checked into the Suchitlán motel.

Another pensioner suffered a heart attack in Peru three weeks prior to the first incident and his naked body was discovered at a motel. Police found the impotence drug on the floor of his motel room; thus, they determined that this was the cause of the 70-year-old man's death.

The Early Years of Viagra

Pfizer developed and released Viagra, also known as Sildenafil or sildenafil citrate, in late 90s as the first oral medication for treating erectile dysfunction. The drug company's clinical trials showed that it did not have any significant effects relating to cardiac conditions.

As doctors proceeded to prescribe Viagra following its availability in the market, there was also a growing concern that it triggered incidents of heart attacks or strokes among its users. Then, in 2003, a study suggested that the drug causes clumping and clotting of the blood, which could explain some of the deaths.

Experts cautioned against its use for people with pre-existing heart conditions and those on nitrate medication. However, Pfizer addressed and declared that their impotence drug is safe. "In the clinical trials there were men with all sorts of health status and no increase in cardiovascular events," a Pfizer spokesman said.

Risks of Using Viagra

More studies later revealed the risk of the drug among men with erectile dysfunction who are also taking nitrates for their heart conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) was prompted to advise Viagra takers to practice caution before popping the medicine, especially if they experienced heart attack, stroke or related ailments six months prior. On the other hand, Viagra is still safe to use for men who have no history of cardiac episodes.

Some men develop erectile dysfunction when they hit their 40s and the risks increase as they age. It is believed that 15 percent of men suffer from the condition by the time they are 70-years-old. The irony is that the condition could be triggered by heart conditions and hypertension, as well as the medication they are taking for this. About 70 to 80 percent of men have heart problems at the age of 60 and above.

Viagra and similar oral drugs for impotence vary in strength and dosages. Doctors usually prescribe taking it in small doses and not as a daily medication. It should also not be taken with alcohol.