Does Tadalafil (Cialis) Lower Blood Pressure?

Published by Dr. Nicolette NataleProfile Picture

10 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Tadalafil can effectively lower blood pressure, making it beneficial for men with hypertension (high blood pressure).
  • Tadalafil can enhance erectile function and improve overall cardiovascular health.
  • Tadalafil is generally safe to use alongside other blood pressure medications, though caution is needed with certain drugs like nitrates and alpha-blockers.
  • Research demonstrated that Tadalafil may help reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in men with high blood pressure.
  • Tadalafil may play a role in lowering blood pressure in uncontrolled hypertension.

Tadalafil, made popular by the brand-name medication Cialis, is an erection-enhancing medication that provides harder and longer-lasting erections for up to 24 to 36 hours.

But that’s not all this medication can do. Originally designed to treat high blood pressure and then later found to also possess erection-enhancing effects, this medication can lower your blood pressure even if you’re taking it solely for an erection boost.

High blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke, two of the leading causes of death for men in the United States. A medication that can lower blood pressure and enhance erections sounds like a real lifesaver.

But is it safe to take Tadalafil with other blood pressure-lowering medications?

In this article, we’ll explore how Tadalafil can lower your blood pressure, some of the blood pressure benefits of this medication, who this medication is safe for, and who should avoid it. We’ll also explore some basic details about blood pressure and how Tadalafil can alter it.

tadalafil sachet

Tadalafil, a popular erection-enhancing medication, may lower blood pressure

What is Blood Pressure?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty behind Tadalafil, it's important to have a basic understanding of what blood pressure is.

Let's break down blood pressure in simple terms. You can think of it as a measurement of the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries.

When your heart pumps, it creates the highest pressure in your arteries. This is called systolic pressure. Picture it as the "go" signal when your heart works hard, pushing oxygen-rich blood out to your body.

On the flip side, when your heart relaxes between beats, we measure the lowest pressure in your blood vessels—this is known as diastolic pressure. You can think of it as the calm after the pump, giving your heart a moment to recharge.

Together, these two numbers give us a complete picture of your blood pressure and help us understand how well your heart is doing its job.

Any measurement outside the normal range (below 90/80 mmHg or above 130/80 mmHg) may mean something is up.

In particular, high blood pressure gets a lot of hype in the health industry, and rightfully so - but what does it really mean to have it and how does it impact your body? Read on to find out.

multiple pills

Tadalafil chewables from BlueChew are easy-to-take, safe, and effective.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a medical condition classified as a blood pressure reading consistently over 130/80 mmHg.

People are at increased risk of developing the disease due to a slew of factors such as:

  • Genetics: Having a family member with the disease can increase your risk up to 50%.
  • Age: Individuals over 60 at a 75% risk of developing the disease.
  • Diet: Eating a diet high in salt and processed foods has been linked to its development.
  • Sex: Men have been shown are at higher risk.
  • Physical inactivity: If you are physically inactive you have 30-50% higher risk of developing hypertension.
  • Stress: Chronic and high levels of stress have been linked to higher rates of developing the disease.

Here’s something to look out for - untreated high blood pressure has been tied to the development of some serious complications like cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and heart arrhythmias.

This is why it is crucial to get your pressure under control safely, potentially with the help of Tadalafil.

What is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil is a prescription medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medications work by blocking the action of the enzyme PDE5, which breaks down molecules that promote dilation (widening) of the blood vessels. PDE5 is found in many areas of the body, including the lungs, brain, kidneys, cardiac muscle cells, and the vascular smooth muscle cells that line the arteries, particularly in the penis.

When PDE5 is prevented from doing its job, there’s a nitric oxide (NO) buildup, which causes these smooth muscle cells to relax. As they do so, more blood can flow through the vessels. Because there’s a high concentration of PDE5 in the penis, the effects are substantial, and this boost in blood flow leads to harder and longer-lasting erections (which is what Tadalafil is mainly known for).

But Tadalafil doesn’t only exert these blood flow enhancing effects in the penis; it can improve the oxygen-rich blood flow to many areas in the body, which may promote better overall functioning like enhanced exercise capacity, improved cognition, and better cardiovascular function.

This is why it is crucial to get your pressure under control safely, potentially with the help of Tadalafil.

How does Tadalafil impact blood pressure?

Because Tadalafil inhibits PDE5 and this enzyme is located in all of the vascular smooth muscle cells in the body, when you take this medication, vessels dilate everywhere throughout the body.

Think of our vessels as a crowded three-lane highway - the cars are backed up, unable to move freely, causing crowding in the lanes. Then a construction team comes in, widening the highway to a five-lane freeway, and suddenly, the traffic clears, the pressure reduces, and the cars can move easily wherever they please.

This is exactly what Tadalafil does in your body. By widening your vessels, blood flows more freely, and your pressure is reduced.

multiple bluechew pills

Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow.

Benefits of Tadalafil for Men with High Blood Pressure

There’s been a surge of research uncovering the many perks of Tadalafil for men dealing with high blood pressure. Thanks to its long-lasting effects (24 to 36 hours), Tadalafil stands out as one of the best PDE5 inhibitors for helping to lower blood pressure. Let’s dive into the potential benefits and clear up some myths about the safety of Tadalafil for men in this situation.

Improve Uncontrolled Hypertension

Individuals with high blood pressure are usually treated with a variety of medications, including beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers. For most individuals, these medications get the job done.

But for some people, their high blood pressure sticks around. Individuals with stubborn high blood pressure (uncontrolled or treatment-resistant hypertension) may take multiple blood pressure-lowering agents without any success.

But did you know that Tadalafil has been shown to lower blood pressure in this particular population? Research has shown that in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension on multiple medications, blood pressure dropped by an average of 7.5 mmHg with the addition of 20 mg of Tadalafil.

Additionally, a 2013 study found that Tadalafil may help the heart muscles relax, which may be another avenue for successfully lowering blood pressure in uncontrolled hypertension.

This is particularly exciting news for men dealing with both less-than-ideal erections and blood pressure readings, as Tadalafil may be able to kill two birds with one stone.

Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Events

Uncontrolled hypertension is a major cause of serious cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. So, keeping your blood pressure in check is crucial for lowering those risks.

Research has shown that Tadalafil can help reduce the rates of major cardiovascular events, lowering the risk of death from these events.

With Tadalafil, you can improve your blood pressure and, more importantly, your overall cardiovascular health and longevity.

Safety of Tadalafil with Blood Pressure Medications

If you’re managing high blood pressure, getting it under control is critical to reducing your risk of serious cardiovascular events. But it raises an important question: how low is too low for your blood pressure?

There’s been some concern about the safety of Tadalafil therapy in patients who are already being treated with other antihypertensive medicines. The goal is to lower blood pressure to a healthy level without dipping into the dangerous territory of hypotension (that’s when your blood pressure gets too low and you start feeling dizzy or faint).

Fortunately, research shows that for hypertensive patients taking medications, Tadalafil doesn’t significantly increase the risk for low blood pressure side effects. In fact, it was found to be safe in combination with various hypertensive drugs (except for alpha-blockers like doxazosin). Researchers also found that its use was even safe in people using multiple antihypertensive medications along with Tadalafil.

Before jumping into any new meds, definitely check in with your healthcare provider. But rest easy knowing that the myth about Tadalafil being unsafe for men with high blood pressure? Totally busted!

single pill on hand

Tadalafil is generally safe in men with high blood pressure.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Tadalafil may be a potent ally for men with high blood pressure, but what about men with normal blood pressure? Some research has shown that the blood pressure-lowering effects of Tadalafil in healthy volunteers are minimal - as in, if you don’t need it, it likely won’t impact your pressure substantially.

Conflicting research has found that men with normal blood pressure may be at higher risk for developing symptoms of low blood pressure, so it is something to be aware of if you’re taking Tadalafil.

Symptoms of unusually low blood pressure to look out for include:

  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Weak or rapid pulse
  • Heart palpitations
  • Feeling tired or weak
  • Nausea or vomiting

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Tadalafil is also known to interact with certain medications and drugs that can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. This includes alpha-blocking agents (such as doxazosin), nitrates (such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide mononitrate), and guanylate cyclase stimulators.

Check with your BlueChew healthcare provider if any of your medications interact with Tadalafil before starting treatment.

bluchew pill on hand

Tadalafil is generally safe in men with high blood pressure.

Final Thoughts

Tadalafil isn’t just for a boost in the bedroom. It can also be a rockstar in lowering blood pressure and keeping your heart healthy. For men dealing with high blood pressure and looking to enhance their erections, Tadalafil can be your ticket to a healthier and happier you. This may be especially true if you’ve been struggling with uncontrolled hypertension - discussing the possibility of adding Tadalafil to your treatment may be the final boost you need to get your blood pressure under control.

Another key benefit is the safety of this medication. Whether you’re on antihypertensive medicines or not, research has shown using Tadalafil is typically safe for men without the increased risk of low blood pressure.

How To Get Tadalafil Through BlueChew?

Ready to boost your bedroom performance and lower your blood pressure? BlueChew has got you covered.

BlueChew makes it easy. Select a plan, complete an online patient intake, and you’re done. A medical provider will review your information and, if appropriate, prescribe your plan, which will be shipped directly to your door.

No doctor appointments or patient support charges make it a stress-free experience.

With plans starting as low as $20 per month, BlueChew can fit into anyone’s budget. Plus, there’s no commitment - easily cancel or switch plans anytime. Click here to explore all plan options for treatments at BlueChew.

bluchew sachets

BlueChew carries chewable Tadalafil, Sildenafil, and Vardenafil for your erection-enhancing needs.

FAQ

What are the side effects of Tadalafil?

Like all prescription medications, PDE5 inhibitors come with the potential for side effects. Common side effects include headache, nasal congestion, back or muscle pain, and indigestion.

More rare and severe adverse effects can occur and include sudden loss of hearing, prolonged erection, sudden decrease in vision, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat. If these side effects occur, contact your doctor immediately or seek immediate medical attention. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to the ingredients in this medication.

If you are taking alpha-blockers or other medications that treat high blood pressure, be sure to notify your doctor, as these medications can result in drug interactions leading to dangerously low blood pressure when combined with PDE5 inhibitors, known as hypotension.

Tadalafil does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

How does Tadalafil impact blood vessels?

What are low blood pressure symptoms (hypotension)?

References

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