Erectile dysfunction — the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for intercourse — can be caused by numerous psychological factors. Some some lifestyle habits and physical conditions can also fuel this problem, however, including consuming too much alcohol or recreational drugs. What a lot of people don’t know is that erectile dysfunction may sound the alarm for a heart problem.
Erectile dysfunction and heart problems: How are they linked?
Just as the formation of plaques can prevent blood from circulating through the arteries as it normally would, it was also believed that the very same cause could be the one leading to erectile dysfunction. The penis requires plenty of blood for an erection, so it’s only natural to believe that restrictions in this blood supply were standing in the way of an erection.
While research suggests that there is a link between the two, that doesn’t mean that every man with erectile dysfunction has a heart problem. Even so, doctors must not ignore the link and have their patients diagnosed with erectile dysfunction be tested for coronary artery disease as well. In fact, research also indicated that men who have erectile dysfunction, and have ruled out the obvious triggers, such as traumatic experiences and psychological problems, should be screened for heart disease.
Other causes of erectile dysfunction
The causes of erectile dysfunction can be divided into two categories: medical issues or psychological problems. As far as medical problems are concerned, these include metabolic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, and sleep disorders.
However, if medical causes cannot explain erectile dysfunction, the problem is most likely of a psychological nature. It is not uncommon for both men and women who are under a lot of stress to experience a decrease in their sexual appetite. Depending on the nature of the issue, men can feel stressed, anxious, depressed, or maybe too tired from work. Troubles with their careers, a potential divorce, family problems, a lack of self-esteem — any of these can be a trigger for erectile dysfunction.
If the problem persists over a longer period of time, some therapy might help. Seeing a psychologist can have a lot of mental benefits and helps people find the root of their problems and a solution along the way.
Shared risk factors between heart disease and erectile dysfunction
By closely analyzing what are the risk factors of both heart problems and erectile dysfunction, there are a lot of similarities, including:
- Diabetes is a common risk factor for both these problems.
- Smoking can cause cardiovascular disease, which can in turn lead to coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction.
- When hypertension is left untreated, it can damage the inner lining of the arteries. This can lead to cardiovascular disease. Even more, certain medications prescribed to keep blood pressure under control can also lead to erectile dysfunction (such as thiazide diuretics).
- Consuming too much alcohol leads to heart disease, and can raise blood pressure or cause cholesterol levels to rise as well, which are also risk factors for heart disease. On the other hand, alcohol also gets in the way of an erection.
- Body changes are a natural part of the aging process. As you age, it’s become difficult to get and maintain an erection, or the erection may not be firm enough to support a sexual act. Younger men with erectile dysfunction are more likely to have it because of heart disease because they would normally have no problems in getting their penis erect. Men that are over the age of 70 and have erectile dysfunction are less likely to develop it as a sign of heart disease.
- Erectile dysfunction is also more likely to occur in men with low testosterone, but this can also be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Treatment for erectile dysfunction: What do you need to know about your options?
If the doctor suspects that one of their patients might have heart disease, lifestyle changes are required. Treating erectile dysfunction that’s caused by a heart problem requires treating the heart problem first. This means that the treatment plan for erectile dysfunction involves the usual paths and medications that doctors prescribe for each particular scenario.
Whatever the case, doctors who diagnose someone with erectile dysfunction should not rule out the possibility that this could be due to a heart condition such as coronary artery disease and have their patients tested for such a problem.
Conclusion
Scientific evidence suggests that even men with erectile dysfunction who have not been diagnosed with heart disease should be tested for it. Erectile dysfunction may be a risk factor or an indicator of cardiovascular disease, and this is a link that no doctor should ignore.
Sources & Links
- Photo courtesy of SteadyHealth