Men suffering with heart disease are MORE likely to develop erectile dysfunction

Men suffering from the condition are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction later in life, compared to those with a healthy heart, according to new research by Northwestern University. 

In the study, they looked at how risk factors for the disease, or having poor cardiovascular health, might impact on sex.

These included high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar, being overweight or obese, insufficient physical activity, poor diet and smoking. 

Abbi Lane-Cordova, lead study author and preventive medicine researcher at Northwestern University, said to Reuters: “We knew that erectile dysfunction was considered an early indicator of

vascular disease that might occur before heart disease was diagnosed by a doctor.

The researchers found that all the men who had developed cardiovascular disease by the end of the study had erectile dysfunction, while just 15 per cent of men with the lowest risk for

cardiovascular disease did.

“This study showed that men who were less likely to have risk factors for heart disease and had healthier behaviours (non-smoking, physically active, healthier diet) were also less likely to

have erectile dysfunction later in life.

“Men may avoid erectile dysfunction the same way they may avoid heart disease.”

Following 1,136 men for a decade from their early 60s, the researchers found that all the men who had developed cardiovascular disease by the end of the study had erectile dysfunction, while

just 15 per cent of men with the lowest risk for cardiovascular disease did.

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Coronary heart disease - or hardening of the arteries - can reduce circulation to the penis, and it’s often been associated with erectile dysfunction in men over 60 years.

In the study, the 46 per cent of men with erectile dysfunction were more likely to have suffered poor blood flow through their arteries at the start of the research.

Previous evidence has linked risk of cardiovascular disease to higher likelihood of erectile dysfunction.

It’s thought to be because it leads to poor working of the blood vessels, which in turn leads to disruption of blood flow to the penis.

Symptoms of coronary heart disease include chest pain, heart attacks and heart failure.

It’s caused by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries which can block the heart’s blood supply.

Treatment for the condition includes lifestyle changes, medication and surgery.

But you can prevent it by eating a healthy and balanced diet, being physically active, giving up smoking and controlling blood cholesterol and sugar levels.

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