Problems getting and keeping an erection can be a sign of an underlying health condition or a risk factor for heart disease.
Erectile dysfunction is a common problem, especially in older men. It can be caused by several things, including problems in the arteries that supply blood to the penile area.
Causes
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a sign of an underlying problem, like heart disease. This is because erections are dependent on healthy blood flow.
As the arteries that supply blood to the penis become narrowed with plaque from atherosclerosis, they can’t send enough blood there. That can cause problems with the nerve signals that are needed to produce an erection, explains Dr. Adam Ramin, a urologic surgeon and medical director of Urology Cancer Specialists.
Men who have cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of ED, a new study has found. The researchers looked at data from a large study of men aged 60 to 78 and found that men who had ED were twice as likely to have heart attacks, strokes or other cardiovascular events over 20 years than men who did not have ED.
Symptoms
A number of health conditions can affect your erection, including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. If you’re experiencing erection problems on a regular basis, it’s important to talk to your doctor.
Your doctor may run tests to identify the underlying cause of your ED. For example, they might order a physical exam that checks for signs of cardiovascular disease such as plaque in your arteries.
If the test results reveal a heart condition, your doctor will start treatment immediately. Your health provider will suggest ways to control your risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, such as controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Your doctor might also prescribe oral medications for ED, such as sildenafil (brand name: Viagra), tadalafil (brand name: Cialis) and vardenafil (brand name: Levitra). Oral medicines like Fildena 100 as well as Fildena 150 help you get and maintain an erection while you’re in a sexual relationship.
Treatment
Erectile dysfunction is an important early warning sign of heart disease or other serious medical problems. It is also one of the most common sexual complaints in men, with around 30% affecting them at some time during their lives.
It is often a problem that develops gradually, but it can become more serious when a man starts to experience frequent erection failure. Treatments such as Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) work for a majority of people.
Other treatments may include devices to stimulate sex, sex therapy, or a hormone to help the penis stay filled with blood. Many health issues can cause ED, including hardened arteries, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking.
It is crucial that men with erectile dysfunction visit their doctors to be checked for underlying heart risk factors, according to Pastuszak. Screening is easy and includes questions about exercise ability, blood tests to check for diabetes and altered blood lipids, and a measurement of your blood pressure.
Prevention
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common and serious health condition that affects many people worldwide. It is largely preventable through lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy diets and getting regular exercise.
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Men with ED are more likely to have heart problems, such as a stroke or a heart attack.
Despite these risks, 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable. It can be controlled through a number of lifestyle changes, such as healthy diets, exercise and avoiding smoking.
The American Heart Association has created a set of “Life’s Simple 7” metrics, which include achieving ideal blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. These measures can significantly reduce a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease.