The Viagra ads always end with a warning to heart patients. When is it dangerous for a heart patient to have sex. Men should not take Viagra or similar medications if they also need to take a special class of cardiac medications knows as nitrate.

The most com types of nitrates include nitroglycerin or isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate. The use of Viagra-like drugs in a person who has taken a nitrate within 36 hours can cause a very unsafe drop in blood pressure. It is always best to talk to your personal physician about what level of physical activity is safe to perform if you have a history of heart disease—whether it is sex or any other effort that might bring up a sweat. The information provided on this website is for the general information of the reader and to help patients become better informed to consult with their own physician.

It is dangerous for heart disease patients to engage in sexual activity if they have frequent symptoms of angina. You should not use the information on this website.

It does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship, and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.