There’s More to ED than Just Erectile Difficulties . . .

The most common form of erectile dysfunction (ED) is known to be a sign of small artery disease in the penis, with the changes resembling those of atherosclerosis. This means it’s closely associated with coronary artery disease, the predecessor to heart attacks.

A new study from Italy has shown that ED occurs two to three years before coronary artery symptoms. Moreover, it’s related to the severity of the coronary disease. In 285 men with coronary artery disease, 135 (47%) reported ED, overall. The frequency in controls – men with normal coronary arteries on angiography – was 24%. Severe ED (as measured on the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction) was more common in men with 2- or 3-vessel coronary disease (31% than in men with only a single vessel affected (12.5%).

The onset of ED before that of coronary artery disease was, on average, 24 months, ranging from one to three years. This means that men with ED and no cardiac symptoms should have a full cardiac work-up - blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose - as well as lifestyle advice on weight control and exercise.