Can't Get An Erection? Erectile Dysfunction May Signal Heart Disease

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) means that you cannot get a proper erection. Most cases are due to narrowing of the arteries that take blood to the penis. This is due to a build-up of fatty deposits (atheroma) in these arteries in the same way that heart arteries are affected in people with heart disease.

Heart disease and erectile function

The connection between heart disease and erection problems (doctors call it erectile dysfunction) isn't far-fetched at all. Both follow the same age-related trajectory and become increasingly common from age 45 onward. They even share common causes.

Erectile dysfunction — afflicting more than half of men aged 40-70 years and greater than 70 percent of men over age 70

Can be a simple and effective marker of underlying risk of subclinical cardiovascular disease.

Erectile dysfunction was associated with increased carotid intimal medial thickness (carotid IMT) — an early manifestation of atherosclerosis.

One German study from 2010 found men with erectile dysfunction are twice as likely to die within the next two years as those without, prompting some experts to call the phenomenon "the canary in the trousers".

If a man's arteries become blocked with cholesterol – as a result of genetics, and/or lifestyle factors

Such as smoking, a poor diet and lack of exercise – it will affect the vessels all over his body.

This knowledge isn't terribly new. So why did it take so long for doctors to make the connection between erectile dysfunction and heart disease?

Thank the Viagra Revolution. Before the introduction of the little blue pill, most men were too embarrassed to mention erection problems. And doctors didn't ask because there wasn't much they could do to help.

Heart disease should, at some point, prompt a man-to-doctor conversation about sexual function.

Heart trouble shouldn't stand in the way of a satisfying sex life or the use of Viagra or one of the other drugs for erection problems.

Things to do:

It is best to see your GP. He or she is likely to discuss the problem, go over any medication you may be taking and do a physical examination. This can help to identify or rule out possible underlying causes. Before treatment, your GP may suggest some tests.

What tests may be done?

Depending on your symptoms, likely cause of the erectile dysfunction (ED), age, etc, your doctor may suggest that you have some tests. These are mainly to check up on any risk factors listed above which increase the risk of developing narrowing of the arteries.

Tests may include:

A blood test to check the level of cholesterol and other fats (lipids).

Blood sugar level.

Blood tests to rule out kidney and liver disease.

A urine test.

A check of your blood pressure.

A 'heart tracing' (electrocardiogram, or ECG).

Other heart tests which are sometimes done, where appropriate, if heart disease is suspected.

Counselling

Sometimes couple counseling or sex therapy is useful. These are most useful if certain mental health (psychological) problems are the cause of, or the result of, ED.

In some cases, sex therapy is used in addition to another treatment option.