In which condition is sildenafil most commonly used?

Sildenafil is most commonly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This condition involves the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Sildenafil works by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which enhances the effects of nitric oxide and increases blood flow to the penis when a man is sexually stimulated. This mechanism directly addresses the physiological issues leading to erectile dysfunction, making it an effective and commonly prescribed medication for this condition.

In contrast, the other conditions listed—heart failure, asthma management, and hypertension—do not primarily involve the same physiological mechanisms that sildenafil targets. While sildenafil may have other uses, its predominant and most widely recognized indication is related to erectile dysfunction.