Risk for Heart Disease

Risk for Heart Disease

 Most people believe the victims of heart disease are usually obese, overweight or just live an overall unhealthy life style. There is an obvious correlation between fried foods, fast foods, lack of exercise and heart disease, but could there also be a link between erectile dysfunction and risk of heart disease?

Though erectile dysfunction may be an unusual risk for heart disease, recent research is suggesting that there is such a link. The more severe a man’s erectile dysfunction, the higher the risk for heart disease.

Of course the researchers took into account other factors that could possibly increase the men’s risk of heart disease such as age, smoking and alcohol consumption. It is believed that erectile dysfunction could be an early sign of heart disease in the future.

Heart disease like other cardiovascular disorders is caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries that lead to the heart. It is believed that this buildup may start in smaller blood vessels, such as those in the penis, before spreading.

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the lack of ability to become erect or sustain an erection during intercourse. This inability is caused by a lack of blood flow to the penis. Plaque narrows the vessels and allows for less blood flow so there is a connection between heart disease and erectile dysfunction. Plaque storage is a major factor in both conditions.

Let it be noted that a cause-effect relationship was not found between erectile dysfunction and heart disease. There was only an association discovered between the two. It is advised that when a man visits his doctor for erectile dysfunction he also be examined for potential risk for heart disease or other possible disorders.

So, though erectile dysfunction may be an unusual risk for heart disease, the research is showing that there is a connection and so a doctor’s appointment could possibly be greatly beneficial.