Nearly three decades ago, Viagra (sildenafil) was invented in a Pfizer laboratory as a groundbreaking treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Since then, the drug used has been highly marketed for its ability to enhance blood flow to the penis by inhibiting an enzyme called Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). Interestingly, Viagra was not initially developed for ED.

Researchers originally studied sildenafil as a potential treatment for high blood pressure. However, during clinical trials, participants experienced erections as a side effect, leading to the drug's repurposing as an ED medication.

Viagra Can Be Used For High Blood Pressure

Given its origins, it is not surprising that Viagra can temporarily lower blood pressure. A 2002 study published in Urology examined the effects of sildenafil on blood pressure among men with and without hypertension. The findings revealed that a 100-milligram dose reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 6 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4.5 mmHg. Older participants experienced slightly greater reductions, though not to a dangerous extent.

Despite these effects, Viagra is not a reliable treatment for hypertension. More importantly, individuals taking certain medications must be cautious, as Viagra can interact with other drugs and cause a significant drop in blood pressure.

What Are The Risks?

One of the more serious risks associated with Viagra is hypotension or dangerously low blood pressure. This can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, or, in severe cases, a heart attack or stroke. The risk is particularly high for individuals taking nitrates for chest pain, high blood pressure medications, or heart failure drugs such as riociguat (Adempas). Recreational drugs known as "poppers"—which contain amyl or butyl nitrites—can also trigger dangerous interactions.

Additionally, sildenafil is used in another medication, Revatio, which is prescribed for pulmonary hypertension—a condition that affects blood flow between the heart and lungs. Revatio is taken in smaller doses multiple times a day, and individuals using it should avoid Viagra or other PDE5 inhibitors to prevent complications.

You Must Always Consult A Doctor For Erectile Dysfunction

Even if you do not have high blood pressure, discussing ED with a healthcare professional is essential before starting Viagra. ED can sometimes signal underlying health issues such as high cholesterol, obesity, type 2 diabetes, sleep disorders, or substance use problems.

Moreover, ED is increasingly recognized as an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that ED could precede serious cardiovascular events—such as a heart attack or stroke—by about three years. This is because the smaller blood vessels in the penis often show signs of damage before larger vessels near the heart, brain, and lungs.

Before seeking ED treatment, individuals should undergo a comprehensive evaluation of their cardiovascular health, including risk factors like family history, metabolic conditions, and lifestyle habits.

Spending a dedicated time exercising, whether it is an hour or half, could be difficult for some people. If you live alone, or are a homemaker, most of the time goes by taking care of household chores, commuting to and from work, grocery runs and general day to day errands. This leads many people to worry that that they may not be able to lead a healthy lifestyle, but a new study shows that even small movements can prove to be a great addition to your daily life. The study was published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, and revealed small movements being a great aid to bigger health issues.

Researchers found that people who weren't in the habit of working out saw improvements in their fitness after doing a specific type of exercise for about a month. These improvements included stronger muscles, more stamina to keep going, and better flexibility. This means you don't need to spend hours at the gym to start feeling healthier; even short bursts of activity can make a real difference.

Can Small Movements Make A Big Difference?

The type of exercise the study focused on is called ‘eccentric exercise’- movement emphasizes the part of an exercise where your muscles are lengthening. Think about slowly lowering any weighted object after you lift it and gently going down into a squat. Research has shown that this type of exercise is easier on your body compared to other types of workouts, and it's very effective at helping your muscles grow stronger and bigger. It's a smart way to build muscle without putting too much strain on your body, making it a good option for people who are just starting to exercise.

Even a small amount of this type of movement done regularly can provide noticeable benefits for your fitness. This is encouraging news for people who might feel like they don't have much time or energy to dedicate to exercise. It shows that even short, simple routines can have a real impact on your strength, endurance, and flexibility, making it easier to do everyday activities.

The participants, mostly women, went through a short period to get used to the study before starting a four-week routine of eccentric exercises. Every day, they performed ten repetitions of four easy exercises- chair squats (standing up and sitting down using a chair), chair reclines (leaning back slightly while seated), wall push-ups, and heel drops (raising up onto their toes and slowly lowering their heels).

After the four weeks of daily eccentric exercises, the researchers found some interesting results. While there weren't big changes in things like body composition, resting heart rate, or blood pressure, the participants did show significant improvements in their ability to do sit-ups and push-ups. They also performed better on the three-minute step test, which measures cardiovascular endurance. Additionally, their flexibility improved, and they reported feeling better mentally. This suggests that even a small amount of daily exercise can lead to noticeable and lasting fitness benefits for people who are not regularly active.

Exercises You Can Perform At Home

Chair squats: standing up and sitting down using a chair

Chair reclines: leaning back slightly while seated

Wall push-ups: placing your palms on the wall and pushing against it

Heel drops: raising up onto their toes and slowly lowering their heels

Tips To Help You Get Started With Eccentric Training

If you're interested in trying eccentric training, remember that you don't have to stick to the exact exercises used in the study. Almost any exercise can include an eccentric component. If you're not very active right now, you'll likely still see progress even if you start with low intensity and very short exercise sessions. Experts suggest starting with just five minutes a day and aiming for around ten repetitions of each exercise. This can be a good starting point to see what's possible, and from there, you can gradually increase the intensity or how long you exercise to keep improving your fitness.

One of the biggest indicators of a good workout for people is how much they sweat. The more you sweat, better the workout. Many people love heated workouts, like hot yoga or spin, even when it’s warm outside. Studios make the rooms very hot, sometimes over 100 degrees. they also believe it is a good way of remaining fit and a great evidence of their hard work. While a lot of people believe this, you still must see how it benefits you and whether are any other safety concerns or health risks you may be putting yourself into by doing this.

The Cleveland Clinic explains that working out in the heat can make your blood flow faster and warm up your muscles. This might make you more flexible. You might also burn a few more calories than in a normal workout. Some people feel good after a hot workout, like they do after a sauna. But, just being hot doesn’t mean you’ll get super fit. You still need to work hard and do the exercises correctly. Don't think that only the heat will make you fit.

Are There Any Risks Of Doing Heated Workouts?

Working out when it’s too hot can make it harder to exercise. According to WebMD your body has to work harder to stay cool, so you might not be able to do as much. This can mean you don’t get as much benefit from the workout. Normal workouts in a comfortable room can be just as good, and maybe even better for you. Heated workouts aren’t a magic way to get fit. They can also put a lot of extra stress on your body, so be careful.

When it’s very hot, you can get dehydrated easily. This can lead to problems like heat exhaustion or fainting. Drink a lot of water before, during, and after class. Watch out for signs that you’re getting too hot, like feeling dizzy or sick. If you have any chest, joint, or muscle pain, stop right away. It's important to listen to your body and make sure you are not pushing yourself too hard.

Who Should Avoid Heated Workouts

Some people should not do heated workouts. Older people, pregnant women, and people with heart problems should be careful. These workouts can be dangerous for them. If you have health problems like high blood pressure or asthma, talk to your doctor first. Just because a workout is popular, doesn’t mean it’s safe for you. It's better to be safe than sorry, so ask your doctor.

Exercise is the key to good health, but as with anything—even water or vitamins—too much of a good thing can be dangerous. For 41-year-old Gemma Underwood, a Scottish fitness enthusiast and orange belt in karate, her passion for training nearly cost her life. What started as an “intense” martial arts session led her down a frightening path to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with a rare and potentially deadly condition called rhabdomyolysis. Her story is a sobering reminder for gym-goers and athletes everywhere: fitness without balance can be fatal.

It was just another training day in March for Underwood in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Her karate session had been grueling, pushing her physical boundaries, but she felt satisfied—until the next morning. Unable to get out of bed due to severe muscle pain and swelling, she noticed her arms had ballooned, and her muscles were extremely tight. But the most alarming sign was what she saw in the bathroom mirror: her urine had turned a disturbing dark brown, which she described as resembling “Coca-Cola.”

Panicked and confused, Underwood rushed to the emergency room. Medical professionals quickly diagnosed her with rhabdomyolysis, often referred to as “rhabdo,” a serious condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases toxic proteins—specifically myoglobin—into the bloodstream. If untreated, these proteins can clog the kidneys, leading to kidney failure or even death.

What is Rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis is not commonly discussed in mainstream fitness conversations, but it’s a well-known risk among medical professionals and elite trainers. According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdo occurs when skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly due to extreme physical exertion, trauma, or dehydration. As muscle fibers die, they release their contents into the bloodstream, overwhelming the kidneys and potentially causing multi-organ failure.

Symptoms vary and can be deceptively mild in early stages. They typically include:

• Muscle pain, swelling, or tenderness
• Weakness or difficulty moving limbs
• Fatigue or malaise
• Nausea or vomiting
• Significantly reduced urination or dark-colored urine (a major red flag)

In Underwood’s case, the condition escalated quickly—an all-too-common reality when the signs are misunderstood or ignored. Doctors told her the cause was likely inadequate hydration during her intense workout. “I wasn’t hydrated enough,” she admitted. “I should have been drinking more water before.”

Water plays a vital role in preventing rhabdomyolysis. Without enough fluids, the kidneys struggle to flush out myoglobin and other harmful muscle breakdown products. During strenuous exercise, particularly in high-heat environments or lengthy sessions, fluid loss through sweat increases dramatically. If not replenished, the body enters a state of dehydration, magnifying the impact of muscle strain.

Despite being fit and experienced, Underwood made the critical mistake of underestimating her hydration needs—a mistake that nearly proved fatal.

Underwood spent five days in the hospital receiving intravenous fluids and was fitted with a catheter to monitor kidney function. She’s now on a mandatory exercise hiatus for at least three weeks and has made hydration a top priority.

“I’m currently resting, no exercise at all, and drinking plenty of fluids,” she shared. “It was terrifying knowing I could’ve died from something that seemed so routine. Make sure you're hydrated before any workout, no matter how intense it is.”

Her message is clear: no one is immune to the dangers of overtraining. Her story is a cautionary tale not just for elite athletes but for anyone who steps into a gym or takes on a new fitness challenge without adequate preparation.

How to Exercise Smart and Stay Safe?

While rhabdomyolysis is rare, it’s becoming increasingly common among high-intensity workout communities, especially in CrossFit, spin classes, and boot camps where participants are encouraged to push limits. The good news? It’s entirely preventable.

Here’s what every exerciser should remember:

Hydration is non-negotiable: Drink water before, during, and after workouts. Electrolytes help too.

Ease into new routines. Whether you’re new to fitness or returning after a break, increase intensity gradually.

Listen to your body. Pain and fatigue are signals, not challenges to override.

Know the symptoms. Dark urine, severe swelling, and unexplained weakness are not to be ignored.

Rest and recovery matter. Muscles grow and repair when you rest—not when you overtrain.