Erectile Dysfunction: A Possible Sign Of Heart Disease.
Source: Thailand Medical News Dec 15, 2019 4 years, 10 months, 2 weeks, 22 hours ago
Most men are not aware that
erectile dysfunction or the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex can be an early warning sign of current or future
heart disease. The same process that creates
heart disease also may cause
erectile dysfunction, only earlier.
Previously the buildup of plaques in the arteries of your body (atherosclerosis) was believed to be the reason why
erectile dysfunction often precedes heart problems. The idea was that plaque buildup reduces blood flow in the penis, making an erection difficult.
However, experts now believe that
erectile dysfunction preceding
heart problems is more often due to the dysfunction of the inner lining of the blood vessels (endothelium) and smooth muscle. Endothelial dysfunction causes inadequate blood supply to the heart and impaired blood flow to the penis, and aids in the development of atherosclerosis.
Erectile dysfunction does not always indicate an underlying
heart problem. However, research suggests that men with
erectile dysfunction who have no obvious cause, such as trauma, and who have no symptoms of
heart diseases should be screened for
heart disease before starting any treatment.
Besides sharing a common disease process,
erectile dysfunction and
heart disease also share many risk factors, including:
-Diabetes. Men who have diabetes are at high risk of
erectile dysfunction and
heart disease.
-Tobacco use. Smoking increases your risk of developing vascular disease and can cause
erectile dysfunction.
-Alcohol Use. Drinking too much alcohol can cause
heart disease and might contribute to other causes of
heart disease, such as high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol. Alcohol also impairs erections.
-High blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of your arteries and accelerates the process of vascular disease. Certain high blood pressure medications, such as thiazide diuretics, can also affect sexual function.
-High cholesterol. A high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis.
-Age. As you get older, erections might take longer to develop and might not be as firm. The younger you are, the more likely that
erectile dysfunction signals a risk of
heart disease. Men younger than 50 are at especially high risk. In men older than 70,
erectile dysfunction is much less likely to be a sign of
heart disease.
-Obesity. Excess weight typically worsens o
ther risk factors for
heart disease.
-Low testosterone. Men with low testosterone have higher rates of
erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease compared to men with normal testosterone levels.
Should your doctor thinks you might be at risk of
heart disease, consider making lifestyle changes. Increase your physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking and drink alcohol only in moderation or not at all. However, further tests or treatment might be needed if you have more-serious signs and symptoms of
heart disease.
If one has both
erectile dysfunction and
heart disease, talk to your doctor about treatment options. If you take certain heart medications, especially nitrates, it is not safe to use many of the medications used to treat
erectile dysfunction.
Thailand Medical News warns against self-prescribing or consuming any sex enhancing drugs obtained online or even consume any sex stimulants without consulting a doctor as in some cases death can occur from consuming such products.
