Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Problems

Men should not be surprised if a discussion with their doctor on their erection problems will be veered towards some talk about heart problems or vice versa. Problems about keeping or getting an erection should serve as a red flag for heart trouble eventually, while many men suffering from heart diseases normally have sexual difficulties that they are not too proud to talk openly about even with their doctors.


What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

If you're a man and you cannot achieve or maintain an erection enough to have sex properly, then you're properly suffering from the condition known as erectile dysfunction or impotence.

Men will generally experience not being able to get an erection on some occasions such as when they have had too much to drink, stressed, distracted, or tired. Most men will experience this at one point or another in their lives, and they will most likely get an erection when they are aroused sexually. Some men however will have recurring or persistent difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. Although more common among men aged 40 to 70, erectile dysfunction can occur at any age.

Erectile dysfunction is said to be caused by a lot of factors that have been categorized into either physical or psychological (mental). Around 80% of ED cases have been brought about by physical causes that include diseases that affect the nerves in the penis area, hormonal causes, reduced blood flow to the penile area, medication side effects, injury to the nerves at the penis region, drug and alcohol abuse, and diabetes, to mention a few.

Several mental health conditions may also trigger the development of erectile dysfunction such as depression, stress from home or from work, relationship difficulties, or anxiety. One's impotence is more likely caused by a psychological factor over a physical cause when there are occasions that one is still able to get erections (such as waking up in the morning with an erection or when masturbating) although most of the time one cannot.


What Is the Correlation Between ED and Heart Problems?

The functioning of one's penis and the health of one's heart are intimately related. Urologists and other medical experts believe so as proven by research and the clinical studies that have been conducted on this area. The heart and the penis both have arteries that are lined with endothelium. When this lining on the blood vessels do not positively respond to the nitric oxide release (a significant part of the process that is responsible for making blood flow when needed), then there isn't much blood flowing to the organs-including the penis. Hence, the complicated process that explains one's erection can be disrupted if the blood vessel or vascular system is not properly functioning.

Atherosclerosis, which is the term used to refer to the hardening of one's arteries, also increases the risk for erectile dysfunction by reducing blood flow through all the organs in the body. When one is suffering from the condition, plaques build up in the arteries on various parts of the body causing them to harden and narrow and eventually limiting the flow of blood to these affected parts.
Now since the arteries that bring the blood in and out the penis are considerably those supplying the heart, the first and critical symptoms of atherosclerosis may initially emerge us erectile dysfunction. Heart diseases in its many forms can be caused with the arteries supplying blood to the heart are affected with atherosclerosis.


Who Are at Risk?

There is a certain population of the male population that are at an increased risk of likelihood that their erectile problems could be signs of underlying heart diseases and atherosclerosis. Here are some of these men:

• Depression has been proven to be directly associated with incurring heat problems as well as erectile dysfunction.
  
  
• High blood pressure eventually damages the lining of the arteries over time, leading to an increased development of atherosclerosis.
  
  
• If you are under 50 and experiencing erectile dysfunction, you are most likely to have it because of an underlying heart problem. But if you are over 70, there are lesser chances that your erectile dysfunction is a symptom of a heart disease.
  
  
• Men suffering from diabetes are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction, heart disorders, and other health problems that can be brought about by a restricted flow of blood in their body.
  
  
• Men with high levels of bad cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) are more likely to have problems with atherosclerosis.
  
  
• Obese men are at a higher risk of developing both erectile dysfunction and heart problems that may be caused by atherosclerosis.
  
  
• Smoking men not only raises their risks of getting atherosclerosis they also cause a direct negative effect on their ability to get an erection.
  
  
• When you have a relative who has had heart problems at a very young age, your erectile dysfunction is most likely to be caused by an underlying heart disease.
  
  

What Can You Do about It?

After talking with your doctor about your erectile dysfunction and your risk for heart problems, the first thing that you should put into consideration is making significant lifestyle changes. This may include changing your diet, exercising, and losing some unwanted weight. Other than the positive health results these could bring you, it could also improve your chances of getting back satisfying erections. Further tests and more serious tests may be needed though for those with more serious symptoms and signs.


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